Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Ayodhya: Muslims not opposed to Ram temple

Muslims are "by and large" not opposed to the construction of a Ram temple on the disputed site in Ayodhya where the Babri Masjid once stood, spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said Thursday.

The Art of Living founder spent the day in Ayodhya, a day after meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Sri Sri didn't mention the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute when he explained what he and Adityanath discussed.

"A solution may sometimes seem impossible but our people, youth and leaders of both communities can make it possible." he said today, ANI reported.

He said "if we succeed, then it will set a big example before the world."

I know some may not agree with this, but Muslims by and large are not opposing the #Ramtemple : Sri Sri Ravishankar pic.twitter.com/3ZxOblJogl

- ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2017

Sri Sri's efforts to mediate in the dispute have not been unanimously welcomed.

Former BJP lawmaker Ram Vilas Vedanti said today that the spiritual leader had "jumped" into the Ram Mandir issue to avoid an investigation of his wealth, ANI reported.

Who is Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to mediate? He should continue running his NGO & hoarding foreign funds, I believe he has amassed a lot of wealth & to avoid a probe he has jumped into #RamTemple issue: Former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti pic.twitter.com/OovKekDhW9

- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 16, 2017

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi, too, asked who had authorised him to intervene.

STUNNING CLAIM

Nirmohi Akhara chief Mahant Dinendra Das alleged today - on camera - that there was a back-channel deal to pay Rs 20 crore to the Sunni Waqf Board to get them to relinquish their claim to the disputed site in Ayodhya.

When asked about the claim, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar told India Today, "I will not get into this."

(Inputs from ANI)