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Muslim groups suggest tripartite talks to solve Ayodhya issue

Ajay Kaul in Ayodhya

Two Muslim groups associated with the Babri Masjid movement proposed on Saturday that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee take steps for tripartite talks involving 'real leaders' of the two communities to solve the Ayodhya tangle.

"There can be a solution to the (Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid) dispute, if the real religious figures of the Hindu community like the Shankaracharyas, and Muslim organisations like the Muslim Personal Law Board, Milli Council, Jamaat-e-Ulema-e-Hind and Muslim Mushawarat Council hold talks," Khaliq Ahmed Khan, convenor of the Helal Committee, a respected Muslim organisation of Faizabad and Ayodhya, said.

Khan, who is seen as the de facto Shahi Imam of Faizabad-Ayodhya, said that the Babri Masjid Action Committee and 'unlawful organisations' like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh and Bajrang Dal should be kept out of the talks.

Stating that the government should take the initiative to bring the two parties to the negotiating table, Khan said, "The government should be represented by no less person than the prime minister."

Expressing trust in the judiciary, Khan said, "The issue should be resolved legally as soon as possible so that undesired and miscreant elements do not exploit the situation."

Khan said the development had caused a feeling of insecurity among the minorities in Faizabad and Ayodhya as 'thousands of outsiders have descended here'.

"Both Hindus and Muslims live cordially here. It is because of the people coming from outside that the minority community members are apprehensive about their security and safety," he said.

The Faizabad unit president of the Babri Masjid Action Committee, Mohammed Yunus Siddiqui, said, "As the decision arrived at the discussions is to be implemented by the government, it should be represented at the highest level."

"Lack of honesty is the biggest hindrance in the path of a solution to the dispute," he said, holding the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh 'responsible for creating problems'.

"These groups are unlawful and should be banned as they do not obey the Constitution of India," he said.

On the present situation created because of VHP's decision to start construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya, Siddiqui charged the Vajpayee government with lacking the will to tackle the situation.

The Ayodhya Issue: Complete Coverage

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