Ready for talks with PM Modi on Babri issue: Hashim Ansari

LUCKNOW: The oldest petitioner in the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid case, Mohammed Hashim Ansari, has said that he would not pursue the case anymore and blamed politicians for ‘milking’ the case for gains.

The 92-year-old Hashim Ansari, one of the oldest litigants in the case said that he would neither pursue the case nor participate in any meeting to mourn the anniversary of Babri Masjid’s demolition and wants “Ram Lala to be set free”. Ansari added he was ready to speak with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the dipsute in Ayodhya. " Talks are always welcome. I am ready to talk to PM Narendra Modi to resolve the issue. He should step in. Let Modi come here and I will welcome him myself. My doors are always open to anyone who comes with a message of peace and harmony" Hashmi told TV channels.

Hitting out at Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan, Hashmi who became a litigant of the case in 1959 said that while he was making rounds in the court to see the case reached its logical end, Khan was making loose remarks and claiming the dispute was over.

Hashim was reacting to Khan’s recent remark that the dispute was a dead issue and a temple already existed at the disputed site. “We are fighting the case with so much difficulty and Khan is making unwarranted remarks. Let him pursue the case now. I will not pursue the case anymore come what may. All politicians are milking the issue and living in big bungalows while Ram Lalaa is living in a tent. I want him to be set free”.

Ansari’s withdrawal from the case may have little effect on the litigation before the court. Convenor of the Babari Masjid Action committee Zafaryab Jilani said Hashim’s withdrawal would have no effect on the continuance of the case in court. “There are six other petitioners like the Sunni Waqf board in the case and it will go on.”

While BJP leaders welcomed Hashmi’s statements, Congress MP PL Punai said that Hahsim seemed to be under pressure from BJP to withdraw from the case.