Ram Mandir in Ayodhya: Supreme Court For Mediation, Govt Says Okay

The Supreme Court today advised all parties to settle the Ayodhya Ram Mandir dispute outside the court. The apex court assured that it would step in only if the matter cannot be resolved through talks.

In a major move, the Supreme Court today asked all parties to the Ayodhya dispute to settle the matter through mediation and talks.

The matter has been hanging fire before the court for over six years. The Court said it is high time for a possible out of court settlement. The apex court assured that it would step in only if the matter can’t be resolved through talks.

“It is an issue of sentiment and religion. First sit together and sort out.  Both sides have moderators and hold meeting,” said Chief Justice JS Khehar, while hearing a petition by senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.

In response, Swamy said it is difficult to make both communities sit together and only judicial intervention is needed. The Chief Justice asked Swamy to mention the case on March 31.

The Union Government welcomed the Supreme Court’s suggestion as said it was ready to initiate mediation. The SP, RJD and other major political parties welcomed the initiative.

The Shahi Imam of Delhi too welcomed the Court’s new initiative.

However, AIMIM chief Assaddudin Owaisi struck a discordant note when he said: “I hope Supreme Court decides the Contempt petition which is pending since demolition of Babri Masjid 1992”.

“Please remember Babri Masjid case is about Title which Allahabad court wrongly decided as a Partnership case hence the Appeal in Apex court” he added

The Court’s suggestion comes at a time when the BJP had mentioned in their poll manifesto in Uttar Pradesh that a temple would be built as per the court’s directives and as per the Constitution of India.

The mediation route was tried out earlier too, but failed to break the ice. This is basically because there were questions raised on who represents which communities.   Already voices are being raised from among the Muslim community as to who will represent at the mediation table. Should it be just the petitioners or other Muslim groups?

In 2010, the court had put a freeze on a judgment by the Allahabad High Court that Lord Ram was born under the central dome of the makeshift temple in Ayodhya and Hindus have the right to worship there.

The makeshift temple came up after Kar Sevaks had pulled down a masjid that had been standing on the spot since the days of Mughal Emperor Babar. The site was popularly believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram.