Security beefed up in Ayodhya ahead of 31st anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition today
Admin the anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid, the local administration has tightened security in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya.
Terming the Ram Mandir issue "sentimental” and “sensitive”, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said that the matter should be settled amicably.
"It is an issue of sentiment and religion. First sit together and sort out. Both sides employ moderators and hold meetings," Chief Justice JS Khehar said.
The apex court suggested that the matter should be settled through discussion and would only step in if the issue is not resolved through talks.
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Chief Justice Khehar even offered to act as a mediator between the parties to resolve the decade-old issue.
"Any person of your choice. You want me to mediate (but) I will not hear (on judicial side). You want my brother (Judge). There are issues. You all sit together across the table and decide,” Khehar said.
Chief Justice Khehar said while hearing an urgent an appeal from senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy to consider an appeal to build the Ram Mandir which has been pending since 2010.
After hearing the Supreme Court’s response, Swamy said it is a strenuous effort to make both the contradicting parties sit together and judicial judgment is required.
Meanwhile, the Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) said it is impossible to settle the issue out of court.
"Negotiations have failed earlier, an out of court settlement is not possible," Zafaryab Jilani, Convenor of BMAC said.
The dispute started when hundreds of RSS karsevaks in 1992 demolished the 16th century Babri Mosque in Ayodhya, claiming that the mosque was built in the holy birthplace of the Hindu deity Lord Rama.
The Supreme Court in 2010 put a freeze on the Allahabad High Court order in the same year, saying Lord Ram was born in Ayodhya and Hindus have the right to build a temple and worship there.
Many BJP top leaders, including LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, are accused of involving in the Babri Masjid demolition case.
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