NEW DELHI (PTI): The Indian government will continue its efforts to find a negotiated settlement to the Ayodhya issue, where the main opposition party, BJP, wants to build a temple at the birthplace of Lord Ram, ancient Hindu king, but at which site rests the Babri Mosque built by Mughal king Babur in the 16th century.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the red fort after unfurling the national flag on India’s 46th Independence day, the prime minister said if the negotiations failed to find an amicable solution both the disputing parties would have to abide by the court verdict. “This is our government’s policy,” he said.
The government, he said, was not opposed to construction of a temple but it would never allow demolition of the mosque.
Treating the issue as one of a temple or mosque would be “incorrect and misleading,” Rao said, adding that this had larger ramifications since it posed a threat to the country’s unity and integrity. “We will have to take steps very cautiously towards resolving the issue,” he said,
The Allahabad high court has in its ruling said no permanent be true can be constructed at the SITE.
Article extracted from this publication >> Aug 28, 1992
