With time running out, Ayodhya panel may seek extension

“We have informed the panel that we will not be able to attend any of its meetings over the next month in the wake of Ramzan,” said one of the members of the Babri side, requesting anonymity.

The Supreme Court appointed mediation panel, formed to explore the possibility of a negotiated settlement of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute, may seek more time to submit its findings, according to one of the litigants who participated in the talks.

The Supreme Court appointed mediation panel, formed to explore the possibility of a negotiated settlement of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute, may seek more time to submit its findings, according to one of the litigants who participated in the talks. (Biplov Bhuyan/HT PHOTO)

“We have informed the panel that we will not be able to attend any of its meetings over the next month in the wake of Ramzan,” said one of the members of the Babri side, requesting anonymity. Meanwhile, the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas and the Nirmohi Akhara differ on the issue of extension to the panel. The Nyas is opposed to any extension but the Nirmohi Akhara has no objection.

On March 8, the apex court had appointed a three-member mediation committee, headed by Justice (retired) FM Ibrahim Kalifulla and comprising senior advocate Sriram Panchu and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar as its members, to hold dialogue with litigants in the Ayodhya case. The panel was given 8 weeks’ time to submit its report.

“More than 50 people, including legal representatives of parties to the dispute, attended the first meeting. Subsequently, we have had three more such sessions but Muslim members expressed their inability to attend the meeting during Ramzan,” said this member.

In view of this the panel, the deadline of which comes to an end on May 13 (going by its first meeting), is expected to seek more time from the SC to submit its report. “Though we have not received any official communication from the committee so far, we feel that a two-month extension may be given if the panel decides to meet us again,” said a counsel of one of the representatives.

The Supreme Court is hearing 14 appeals against the 2010 Allahabad high court judgment, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre site in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among the three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

NYAS, AKHARA DIFFFER

Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, head of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, said: “We are against any extension of tenure to the Supreme Court’s panel. All efforts have already been made to resolve the dispute through mediation,”

The Nyas has been spearheading the Ram Mandir movement across the country.

“Now, the court must decide the matter as all hearings in the case have been completed,” added the mahant.

However, in a meeting on Tuesday evening, the Nirmohi Akhara decided not to oppose any extension to the panel’s tenure.

“Whatever the Supreme Court decides we will readily accept. We do not have any objection if the Supreme Court extends the panel’s tenure,” said Mahant Dhinendra Das, head of the Nirmohi Akhara.

“I am hopeful that the SC panel will be able to resolve the dispute,” he added.

It may be pointed out that the Nyas and Akhara have always been at loggerheads over the issue of mediation in the Ayodhya dispute.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), too, is also opposed to any extension to the panel. “We want a final judgment in the case. We do not want any extension to the panel,” said Sharad Sharma, regional spokesperson, VHP, who operates from Karsevakpuram, Ayodhya.