Sri Sri firm on Ram Mandir mediation

UDUPI:Unperturbed by the opposition from Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) over his mediation in the construction of ‘Ram Mandir’ in Ayodhya, ‘Art of Living’ founder Sri Sri  Ravi Shankar on Wednesday said that he will continue his efforts for a consensus on the issue.

“Everyone has a right to express their opinion, but I will continue my effort to resolve the matter through talks. My efforts should be viewed as an amicable path as the Ram Mandir issue can be settled outside the court, he opined. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar paid a visit to Sri Krishna Math and met Sri Vishwesha Theertha of Paryaya Sri Pejawar Mutt, Udupi on Wednesday. He later spoke to reporters about his path of mediating to resolve Ram Mandir issue. “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’ (RSS) people also have their opinion which may differ with mine, but this is my path to build Ram Mandir,” he said.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had offered to explore ways for an out-of-court settlement between parties locked in dispute over the land on which Babri Masjid stood before its demolition in 1992. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had met Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas head Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, land dispute case plaintiff Iqbal Ansari, sants of Nirmohi Akhara and Haji Mehboob, litigant in the demolition case on November 16. But VHP international working president Praveen Togadia had said during Dharma Samsad programme in Udupi that VHP is not  ready for any ‘talks’ over Ram Mandir issue. He said that he could not make it to  the Dharma Sansad as he was engaged in other programmes due to some ‘personal  reasons’, and  added that difference of opinion about his mediation offer to set right  the issues revolving the Ram Mandir need not be considered a negative move. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar told reporters in Udupi that everybody respects the court.