Capital rife with speculations

As preparations get underway for VHP’s Dharm Sansad on the Ram temple issue on February 22, Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Shankaracharya Jaye...

As preparations get underway for VHP’s Dharm Sansad on the Ram temple issue on February 22, Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi said at Kamakshi temple here today that the Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas ‘‘will get the undisputed land’’ adjacent to the disputed portion.

The seer arrived here this evening, sparking off speculation that Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee had solicited his good offices to resolve the temple dispute to avert a flare-up following a renewed agitation by the VHP for the Dharm Sansad. The Shankaracharya had initiated a mediation bid during the shiladaan crisis last year to find a negotiated settlement for the Ayodhya issue through a dialogue between the VHP and the Muslim community.

Speaking today, the religous leader said the Nyas ‘‘should get the undisputed land, and it will get the undisputed land’’. He added: ‘‘Last time (during the shiladaan) also, it (the document) had been signed. However, a lot of tension built up. Therefore, the land could not be given. Then, somebody went to the court.’’

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As for any deadline this time, he replied in negative. He said: ‘‘The issue is far more complicated this time than it appears. The Government is bound by a Supreme Court order which bars any alteration in the status quo with regard to the undisputed land, acquired by it from the Nyas.’’

The Shankaracharya was non-committal when asked if he would call on the Prime Minister tomorrow. ‘‘If called, I would go. If someone comes, I would meet him,’’ he added.

Regarding the declaration of BJP member of the Lok Sabha Yogi Adityanath that ‘‘the temple would be built by force,’’ the Kanchi seer said, ‘‘They are political leaders. They say one thing in the morning, another in the evening. I would not comment on them.’’

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