Katiyar writes to MPs over Ayodhya issue

The Bharatiya Janata Party's chief in Uttar Pradesh, Vinay Katiyar, has written a letter to all members of Parliament over the Ayodhya issue.

The letter says the ongoing excavation at the disputed site has provided enough evidence that a Ram temple existed at the spot where the Babri masjid was built.

"The foundation of the old Ram temple has also been found during the excavation. These facts speak of the existence of a holy Hindu pilgrim centre at the place."

Katiyar released copies of the letter to the media in Lucknow on Thursday evening.

In a departure from the BJP's approach, an English version of the letter has also been prepared for the benefit of the MPs who do not speak Hindi.

The letter also carries a veiled threat. It says: "If anything untoward happens, we can enact a law in Parliament to pave the way for the construction of Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir."

The judiciary cannot resolve the issue, according to Katiyar.

"The honourable court is taking its own course and action. We have always accepted its order with respect and sincerity, but we should not shirk from our national duties," the letter says.

"Matters of faith, emotions, love, respect and devotion are not to be solved through courts."

A national consensus on the construction of the temple will be a good example of secularism, it says.

"By this initiative, the message will be disseminated across the world how deeply the roots of Indian secularism are. The whole world will come to know how much Indians respect the feelings and sentiments of one another."