NEW DELHI: A confrontation over the move for a Ram temple at Ayodhya was averted Friday with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) deciding to postpone its construction initially by four months in response to an appeal by Prime Minister V.P. Singh in this regard on February 7.
The VHP and Ram Janambhoomi Mukti Yagya Samiti, another influential Hindu organization, unanimously decided to defer the temple construction and await a favorable decision from the federal government after a marathon five-and half hour meeting here Friday.
Announcing the decision of the committee, even before it was formally conveyed to the prime minister, YHP general secretary Ashok Singhal, told newsmen that the center had agreed to set up a governmental committee to mediate on the Ram Janambhoomi Babri Masjid issue.
A Mahant (religious head) of the Yagna Samiti said committee met in Ayodhya, the birth place of Lord Rama, on February 13 to discuss the situation and the future course of action.
He said the committee had expressed faith in the prime minister’s appeal and statements and unanimously decided to give him more time to resolve the issue.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 16, 1990
