Ayodhya talks proposal runs aground

AYODHYA, JAN. 6. Attempts to initiate a `Hindu-Muslim dialogue' on the Babri Masjid dispute ran aground today with the main players modifying their statements. While the main appellant in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, Haji Mohammad Hashim Ansari, denied that there was any proposal for talks with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad or any other organisation to resolve the Ayodhya dispute, the senior VHP leader, Acharya Giriraj Kishore, said he would not attend the meeting of Hindu and Muslim leaders at Lucknow on January 13.

Mr. Kishore, in fact, said the construction of a Ram temple would proceed in accordance with the programme to be announced by the Dharam Sansad during the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.

Mr. Ansari said such an important issue, involving Muslims and Hindus, could not be resolved through individual efforts and it would require a broader spectrum and forum. He said though the BJP's Faizabad MP, Mr. Vinay Katiyar, was in touch with him informally, no concrete proposal had emerged.

Mr. Ansari said the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, the VHP leaders, including its president, Mr. Ashok Singhal, and the BJP president, Mr. Bangaru Laxman, had expressed divergent views on the issue sending confusing signals to the people.

He also said there were many constraints including personal and security problems for him to indulge in such talks.

Mr. Kishore said though he would be present at Lucknow on January 13, he would not attend the meeting. ``The question of joining the talks would arise only if there is a hope that the meeting would yield a positive result.''

Senior leaders of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal, including Mr. Ashok Singhal, Mr. Kishore, Mr. Praveen Jain and Mr. Surendra Jain, held a meeting Delhi to discuss various issues, including the proposed talks with Muslim leaders.

The Bajrang Dal convener, Mr. Surendra Jain, said the Lucknow meeting had not been convened by the VHP or the Dal. It was the result of the personal initiative of Mr. Vinay Katiyar. ``While we are not opposed to any positive outcome of the meeting and will welcome it, none of our leaders would attend the meeting.''

- PTI, UNI

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