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The Supreme Court on Friday, 8 March, referred the politically sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case for mediation by a panel headed by former apex court judge FMI Kalifulla,Kalifulla and gave it eight weeks to complete the process.
Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu are the other members of the panel, said a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.
The bench, also comprising justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and SA Nazeer, said the mediation proceedings will be held at Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh and directed the state government to make necessary arrangements for it.
Politicians cutting across party lines welcomed the apex court’s decision, saying that dialogue and negotiations between all the concerned parties is the only way forward. However, some also expressed reservations about the choice of Sri Sri Ravi Shanker as a “neutral” mediator, citing his previous statements.
In an interview with India Today in 2018, Shankar had brought up the devastating Syrian war to suggest that the same could happen in India if the “Ram Mandir issue was not solved.”
“Muslims should give up their claim on Ayodhya as a goodwill gesture. Ayodhya is not place of faith for Muslims... We cannot make Lord Ram to be born in another place.”Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, as told to India Today
‘A Ram Temple at Ayodhya, Nothing Else’
Union Minister for Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation, Uma Bharti, said that she will stand in the way of anyone who opposes the construction of a Ram Temple at Ayodhya.
“As a Hindu, I have one right – where Ram Lalla resides, a Ram temple should be constructed and nothing else. I respect the Vatican City. If someone tries to build a temple there, I’ll stop them.If someone tries to make a church in Mecca Medina, I’ll stop them. Similarly, if anyone tries to build anything expect a temple where Ram resides, I’ll stand in the way.”Uma Bharti, Union Minister
‘SC has Chosen a Mediator Who’s Not Neutral’
AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the appointment of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as a mediator in the case.
“The person who’s been appointed mediator [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar] has said on record that if Muslims don’t give up their claim on Ayodhya, India will become Syria. He has also said that Muslims should give up their claim on Ayodhya as a goodwill gesture.It’s regrettable that SC has chosen a mediator who’s not ‘neutral’.”Asaduddin Owaisi, President, AIMIM
'Grand Temple Should be Built at the Birthplace of Lord Ram’
“Many attempts to negotiate have been taken in the past. But nothing came out of them. Every Ram bhakt (devotee) wants that a grand temple should be constructed at the birthplace of Lord Ram as soon as possible. When negotiations and courts can’t resolve an issue, then there’s a Parliamentary way - where a law can be passed. But the honourable SC’s order today... if a decision is arrived by negotiations, it will be good for all.”Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy CM, Uttar Pradesh
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