Muslim leaders oppose proposed bulletproof wall at disputed site

New Delhi, July 25 (UNI) A delegation of Muslim leaders today met President A P J Abdul Kalam and submitted a memorandum expressing ''resentment and anger of the community'' against the proposal of the Centre to erect a bulletproof structure around the disputed site at Ayodhya.

The delegation, comprising Delhi Assembly Deputy Speaker Shoaib Iqbal, Shahi Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid Mufti Muqarram Ahmed, Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah Sajjadnashin Pir Khwaja Ahmed Nizami, Jamat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary Intezar Naeem and activist Naved Khan, was with the President for half-an-hour, who gave them a patient hearing and assured that he would study the memorandum.

The leaders pleaded that the step would not only alter the present status of the disputed site but deeply hurt the Muslim community and make them feel insecure.

The memorandum expressed anguish and dismay over the ''change in secular stance'' of the government for having moved an application in the Supreme Court seeking permission to build the steel wall to safeguard the make-shift Ram temple.

It sought withdrawal of the government's application in the court.

Mr Shoaib Iqbal had earlier met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the same issue but the Deputy Speaker was told the construction was a necessity due to security reasons.

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