Ayodhya litigant feels threatened

NEW DELHI: Mohammad Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri title suit, has claimed that he has become the target of those who want to play politics over Ayodhya for opening negotiations with Hindu groups.

"When I started to talk about peace with Mahant Gyandas (president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad), those doing politics on this issue felt their shops will be closed, and they are now plotting to eliminate me,'' an agency report from Ayodhya quoting Mr Ansari said.

The 90-year-old litigant said he had started exploring possibilities of an amicable solution only after the consent of the Sunni Central Waqf Board- a claim denied by the Board subsequently. Not only did it shut the doors on an out-of-court settlement, the Waqf Board also made it clear on Tuesday that it would approach the Supreme Court for relief.

Mr Ansari, however, is ready to chart a different course, insisting that if the issue could be sorted out through talks, it should be done. "If the issue could be sorted out through talks today, tomorrow or after two months, it should be done," he said.

Mr Ansari said that he was deeply hurt by the Sunni Board counsel Zafaryab Jilani's statement calling him a mere a litigant and demanded an apology. "If Mr Jilani does not apologise, then I will finish this issue right here and will not talk to anyone on the Babri mosque," he said. "To keep Hashim mum is almost impossible and I will establish harmony at all cost," he added.

Three days after the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court pronounced its verdict on the title suit, Mr Ansari, in a move running contrary to the sentiments expressed by Muslim bodies such as the Sunni Waqf Board and AIMPLB, had opened channels of communication with Mahant to explore the possibility of resolving the dispute through talks.

Mr Ansari also appealed to Hindu groups not to fight, but to keep their calm. "I would like to request my Hindu brothers not to fight, because it will result in a loss to the nation and the community as well," he said. He said people know how honestly he struggled for the cause of the mosque for 60 years. "I hope the people and media will continue to support me," he added.