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Govt to abide by SC direction on Ayodhya issue: PM

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Saturday said that the government would abide by the Supreme Court directions on VHP's programme to carry out Bhoomi Puja near the disputed site in Ayodhya on March 15.

In the first official comments on efforts to hammer out a solution on the Ayodhya issue, Vajpayee told a delegation of All India Organisation of Imams that the government would do as per the directions of the Supreme Court, which is hearing the matter on March 13.

The Apex Court will be hearing two petitions seeking contempt of court proceedings against VHP leadership for violating status quo in Ayodhya.

The prime minister told the delegation that the contentious Ayodhya issue, which has remained unresolved for a long time, 'is now on a road to resolution'.

He said that a conducive atmosphere has been created because of the commitment given by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to honour the court's verdict in respect of the disputed site in Ayodhya and the mediatory role played by Kanchi Shankaracharya.

"Swamiji came from far-away Kanchi as a messenger of peace. I am happy that representatives of the Muslim community had candid talks with him," he said.

Terming the change in VHP's stand on the disputed site as a 'big development', Vajpayee urged the Muslim community to appreciate its great significance.

"Earlier, they were saying they do not recognise the role of the judiciary in this dispute. Now they have changed their position in this matter. This has created a positive atmosphere," he said.

The prime minister said that there are two ways to resolve the issue.

"Either we should sit down and hammer out a solution through talks or go to court and knock its door."

He said, "The issue, which we cannot resolve, should be entrusted to the court and its verdict adhered to."

Vajpayee said, "Whether we like it or not, we have to abide by the court verdict."

The prime minister said that the Ayodhya issue has reached the court in some way.

"Petitions have been filed with regard to the proposed Bhoomi Puja on March 15. Now the court will hear and decide the issue," he said.

Vajpayee said, "If the court says one does not have a right to perform the puja or the place is such which cannot be touched, then a new episode will begin."

"But, if the court says that it is only a question of one day and puja can be performed, then efforts to resolve the old issue will have to be continued. One will get an opportunity to look at the issue afresh," he said.

The Ayodhya Issue: Complete Coverage

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