VHP asks seer to give assurance letter back

The Ayodhya tangle turned messier here today, with VHP working chief Ashok Singhal asking the Kanchi Shankaracharya for return of a letter c...

The Ayodhya tangle turned messier here today, with VHP working chief Ashok Singhal asking the Kanchi Shankaracharya for return of a letter committing the Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas to a court verdict and mainteinance of status quo at the disputed site in the interim and the seer refusing to oblige him.

8216;8216;We requested him to get the letter back to us from the government,8217;8217; Singhal, said after meeting the seer. As resolved by the VHP Margdarshak Mandal at Hardwar on June 22, 8216;8216;we are not ready to accept the Government suggestion to maintain status quo.8221;

Singhal said that the Nyas had undertaken to abide by a court verdict on the March 15 programme as the Centre had promised to lift all curbs on pilgrims at Ayodhya, allow shiladaan without any obstruction and hand over the undisputed land to it by June 2 for starting construction of the temple.

Since the government had failed to keep its word, the VHP had sought the letter8217;s withdrawal, he said. Nyas chairman Mahant Ram Chandra Paramhans had handed the letter to the Shankarcharya before the March 15 shilapujan programme.

However, the Shankaracharya, still keen on playing the mediator, sought to downplay Singhal8217;s demand. It is only 8216;8216;an expression of anger,8217;8217; he said. He said that there was no need for the return of the letter. Since he was optimistic about finding a negotiated settlement, he had retained the letter with himself rather than handing it over to the Prime Minister, he said.

The Shankaracharya said he was in touch with Hindu and Muslim leaders and was still hopeful of a negotiated settlement. The Government, in his view, could permit construction of the temple on the undisputed site through an executive order. The issue of title of the disputed site could be resolved through negotiations later.

Meanwhile, in Lucknow, the All India Babri Masjid Action Committee called upon the Shankaracharya to dissociate himself from the VHP and declare publicly that the court verdict on the Ayodhya issue would be binding on all, including the Sangh Parivar.