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Ayodhya row takes new turn

A new beginning has been made to find a solution to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute through dialogue.

This was announced jointly by the main plaintiff in the Babri Masjid case, Mohammad Hashim Ansari and Bajrang Dal founder Vinay Katiyar at a media conference at Ayodhya's Totarimath temple yesterday.

Ansari and Katiyar said the two sides held a long talk on the issue yesterday and that they would soon decide dates for further meetings.

The two leaders said the controversy should end in the interest of the country.

Ansari parried queries like whether the mosque would be reconstructed or the case would be withdrawn from the court or how he would convince the people of his community.

Ansari said the country had suffered greatly due to the Ayodhya controversy. ''Both Hindus and Muslims fought for the freedom of the country jointly. But, in the post-Independence era, successive governments have divided them sharply over the issue,'' he added.

Describing yesterday's talks as a good beginning, Katiyar said courts might never find a solution to the controversy. The issue has been politicised and sincere efforts for resolving it have been lacking, he added.

He admitted that some incidents had vitiated communal amity. ''Anyway a new beginning has now been made with the main parties to the dispute agreeing to find a solution through talks,'' he said.

If necessary, local leaders of both the parties would meet Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in this regard, he said.

''The genuine problems of the Muslims of Ayodhya would be solved on a priority basis,'' he said.

UNI

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