By RAJESH RAMACHANDRAN
NEW DELHI, January 9 – The first step towards the much-awaited pre-poll ‘‘negotiated settlement’’ of the Ayodhya dispute has been taken: The Dalai Lama has come out with an appeal that ‘‘this issue can be resolved through mutual trust, mutual faith and mutual respect’’.
It seems the Dalai Lama is willing to play a big role if the principal players agree to it. When contacted, his representative here, Tashi Wangdi, told TNN that the Dalai could help in promoting a dialogue between the two groups.
‘‘There is no formula. We only want a mutually acceptable solution with no losers to be worked out between the two groups. If both sides suggest to his holiness, he will give a serious thought about bringing both the sides together and sitting along with them’’, Wangdi said.
The appeal, dated December 25, was distributed by S N Goenka of the International Vipasana Academy along with Wangdi. Interestingly, half-an-hour after the appeal was made public, VHP general secretary Pravin Togadia held a press conference to claim that ‘‘there is no proposal, no talks on Ayodhya’’.
Asked later about the Dalai Lama’s appeal, Togadia said: ‘‘I don’t want to comment’’. But adding to the speculation of a divide within the Parivar on this issue, the RSS has welcomed the Dalai’s appeal.
RSS spokesman Ram Madhav said: ‘‘The Dalai Lama is a highly respected spiritual leader. We expect all parties concerned to try and work out a solution through negotiations. As far as we are concerned, a temple at Ayodhya through peaceful negotiations is always welcome.’’
Asked for its reaction, the Muslim Personal Law Board said it saw this as a sequel to the earlier failed negotiations of Kanchi Shankaracharya. Board spokesman S Q R Ilyasi said the only means for a negotiated settlement is the Centre coming out with a comprehensive proposal in a conducive atmosphere. ‘‘We respect the Dalai Lama but we have said earlier that we won’t negotiate with those who have demolished the Babri Masjid. Many such efforts were undertaken and finally we were unilaterally asked to surrender the land. Either the government should come out with a proposal or the courts should decide.’’
The Dalai Lama’s appeal has also been welcomed by the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH). JUH general secretary Mahmood Madani said, ‘‘This is a good appeal. This has to be welcomed. This is my personal reaction, the JUH would consider this appeal tomorrow and respond accordingly’’. Madani said his earlier talks with the RSS leaders have no bearing on the Dalai Lama’s appeal.
