BJP for Hindu-Muslim consensus on Ram temple: Advani

Mumbai, Apr 10: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior BJP leader L K Advani today reiterated that a ''settlement'' between Hindus and Muslims over construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya would be an enduring solution to the vexed Ram Janmabhoomi issue.

Mr Advani, who was in Mumbai as a part of his Bharat Suraksha Yatra, told mediapersons here that there is a general feeling among Muslims that after the demolition of Babri Masjid, there was no point in resisting the temple movement for long. ''However, they have no courage to say it publicly,'' he stated.

He said his party was always of the view that the issue could be resolved - through a verdict of Supreme Court where the case has been pending since 1949, resolution or legislation either in Parliament or Uttar Pradesh Legislature, or a settlement between the two religious communities.

''But, when we came to power, our allies did not agree to the solution through legislation. The court is yet to give its verdict.

The only solution is that the matter should be settled by Hindus and Muslims,'' Mr Advani, said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader reached Mumbai last night after travelling 1,009 km from Rajkot, since April six.

BJP general secretary Ananth Kumar described the response to the five meetings Mr Advani addressed in the commercial capital as ''electrifying''.

From here, he will proceed to Panvel, Lonavala, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune during the day and go to Solapur in South Maharashtra tomorrow before entering Karnataka.

UNI

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