Muslim law board may not entirely reject Kanchi seer's proposals on Ayodhya

Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati's much talked about Ayodhya formula, which is to be discussed by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board working committee on July 6, is unlikely to be accepted in its entirety.

"We may come out with a fresh proposal or suggest amendments to the seer's formula," AIMPLB spokesman Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas told rediff.com.

The proposals have generated considerable media hype and put tremendous pressure on AIMPLB members.

"We will not accept any proposal that hurts the sentiments of Muslims," Ilyas asserted adding, at the same time, the board did not want to close the doors of negotiations and miss the opportunity offered by the Kanchi seer to resolve the issue.

The board had last year rejected the seer's first proposal calling it 'one-sided'.

Though the board would not entirely reject the seer's formula this time, it appears the working committee members are not entirely happy with the latest proposals either.

"We will not take any decision which is against the shariat (Islamic law). Our decision will be based on the teachings of the Koran and the hadith (prophet's sayings)," Ilyas said.

Built by the first Mughal emperor Babar, the Babri masjid was pulled down by radical Hindus, who consider the site the birthplace of Lord Ram, on December 6, 1992 with the intention of replacing it with a temple.

"There is no question of compromise on the land (where the make-shift temple stands)," Ilyas insisted.

He said the reservations expressed by some Muslim leaders about the locus standi of the board to negotiate on behalf of the 150 million Muslims was uncalled for.

"First, we want to discuss the proposal among ourselves. If there is a consensus, we will try to convince others."

"We will invite all responsible Muslim individuals and groups who are not part of the AIMPLB, and all secular lobbies who have been helping us to discuss the issue. No unilateral decision will be taken," Ilyas said.

The board members are reportedly in touch with the Congress and Left parties.

He reiterated the board's earlier view that it would accept the court's verdict, but was also ready for out-of-court settlement.

"The case is almost at the fag end. A decision is expected soon. Even if any of the parties go to the Supreme Court, it would not take more than one year to settle the dispute."