Cong lauds Sri Sri''s act as ''mediator'' in Ayodhya; Babri body denies meet

New Delhi, October 28

The Congress on Saturday lauded Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's efforts to hold talks with the stakeholders of Babri Masjid-Ram Temple and act as a 'mediator' between them.

Speaking to ANI, senior Congress leader Tom Vadakkan said that if such efforts have been made by Sri Sri, it is appreciable, "While this matter subjudice, the court did say that this matter can be settled outside the court and if efforts have been made by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to solve the problem, it is welcome decision. The point is, it must be discussed properly with the stakeholders and no pressure must be brought on anybody. If done amicably it is good for country."

Talking almost on similar lines, another Congress leader K T S Tulsi said, "It's very good anyone is most welcome to try to break the impasse and let's hope better sense prevails because mediation is always far more desirable than adjudication."

There were reports that in a fresh attempt to solve the decade-long Ayodhya dispute, Sri Sri held a meeting between the representatives of two groups in the issue.

Ravi Shankar reportedly met representatives of Nirmohi Akhara and All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) to discuss the legal battle over the Ayodhya dispute.

Babri Action Committee denies meeting Sri Sri

Meanwhile, the Babri Action Committee has denied reports of Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's meeting them to solve the Babri Masjid dispute.

Haji Mehboob, a member of Babri Action Committee, said, "Long back one of Ravi Shankar's mediators called saying he wants to talk with me and I welcomed it. Maybe he had a conversation with the Hindu representatives but he never talked with us nor had he sent us any message."

"If he wants to talk to us we will talk as we do not any issue in having a conversing and solving the issue," added Haji Mehboob.

This denial came hours after reports of Sri Sri's efforts to find an out-of-court settlement to solve the decade long Ayodhya dispute surfaced.

The Supreme Court is all set to hear the historic Babri Masjid-Ram Temple case from December 5.—ANI