Ayodhya dispute a national problem: Priest

AYODHYA - Head priest of Ram Lala - a makeshift temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya - Mahant Acharya Satyendra Das said here Wednesday that the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute must be viewed as a national problem and not as a conflict between two religious communities.

“The Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue cannot be linked only to Hindus and Muslims… It has become a national problem… As people across the country want that the dispute must now be sorted out, it has become a national issue,” Das told reporters.

“We should accept the much-awaited judgment on the long-pending Ayodhya issue as a citizen of India and not as a member of a particular religion,” he added.

Das said that at this stage when the judgment would be pronounced in the nearly 60-year-old case, the main focus should remain on making efforts for ensuring peace and harmony.

“I just appeal to members of both the communities that they should make every effort to maintain peace and communal harmony at this crucial stage,” he said.

“It’s the responsibility of both Hindus and Muslims to ensure peace post-verdict. In any case, the judgment should not affect the relationship between the members of the two communities,” he said.