Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Monday threw up a formula for the solution of the Ayodhya issue saying the Ram temple should be built there after taking Muslims into confidence and assuring them that it will not lead to an aggressive posture over disputes at Kashi and Mathura. “I do not think Muslims as a whole are opposed to the temple. Hindu leaders ought to meet their Muslim counterparts across the table and assure them that they want to construct the temple as a symbol of harmony and would not go overboard by continuing to raise demands about Kashi and Mathura afterwards?” Ravi Shankar, who arrived at the Ardh Kumbh Mela, said.• Pratapgarh: Four pilgrims on their way to the Ardh Kumbh Mela were killed and seven others seriously injured in a road accident here, police said on Monday. The incident took place when the jeep in which they were travelling collided with a truck near Baraundha village, police said. The deceased, including three women, were on their way to to Sangam in Allahabad. The injured were admitted to the district hospital, police added. • Allahabad: The fourth auspicious day of bathing and the third and final shahi snan by akharas of sants will take place on Tuesday on the occasion of Basant Panchami. Usual restrictions on plying of vehicles are in force, while security has been tightened following more than the expected turn-out of over two crore people on the previous day of shahi snan on mauni amavasya on January 19. There would be two more days of auspicious bathing on maghi purnima on February 2 and mahashivratri on February 16 when the Ardh Kumbh congregation comes to a close.
