Ayodhya dispute: Ram Mandir an issue of sentiment, parties should settle outside court

Hearing a petition filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Subramanian Swamy here on Tuesday, the Supreme Court said the construction of a Ram Mandir at Ayodhya was an issue of sentiment and religion, and asked the disputing parties to sort the matter outside court.

Chief Justice of India, JS Khehar, offered to mediate between the parties of the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute for an amicable solution.

The offer came as the Supreme Court asked both parties in the case to resolve their differences in an out of court settlement.

“Give a bit, take a bit. Make an effort to sort it out. These are issues best decided jointly,” Khehar said.

The Supreme Court asked Swamy to consult the parties and inform it about the decision on March 31.

Swamy was seeking an urgent hearing of the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case in the Supreme Court, calling it a “sensitive matter”.

It is to mention here that Babri Masjid, a medieval mosque built in the 16th century, was demolished by a Hindu mob on December 6, 1992. A number of senior BJP leaders, including LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, and Vinay Katiyar are the accused in the case.