Shia Waqf Board chief says don’t want confrontations on Lord Ram; Sri Sri’s involvement will increase brotherhood

Uttar Pradesh Shia Waqf Board chief Wasim Rizvi on Tuesday met Sri Sri Ravishankar over Ram Temple issue in Bengaluru. He said that Shia Waqf Board does not want confrontations over the name of Lord Ram and it wants compromise on the issue.

"The whole country respects Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, I am sure the issue will be solved. Have requested Sri Sri Ravi Shankar that talks should be held only with those who want an agreement," said Wasim Rizvi.

Rizvi informed that he has already met all the person concerned with the case and they all are ready for talks in terms of Ram temple constructions.

Shia Waqf Board chief said that they do not want construction of new mosque at the Lord Ram’s birth place. He stressed that mosque should be constructed at the place where there is Muslim population. He said that there are ample amount of mosques at Ayodhya and Faizabad.

Rizvi said that the people who are demanding construction of mosque at the Lord Ram’s birthplace want disputes to continue and want communal violence. He added that the demolished Babri mosque belonged to Shia community and only they have the right to take decision in the matter.

Rizvi said that he appreciated Sri Sri’s efforts in direction of resolving disputes and told him that if person of his stature would come forward then Hinu-Muslim brotherhood will get boost. He added that Sri Sri’s involvement will shun extremist forces.

Earlier on Saturday, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that the situation has changed and people want peace. Ravi Shankar added that a platform is needed where both communities can show the essence of brotherhood.

There were efforts is 2003-04 also but environment more positive now. Doing this in my own capacity, it is non-political. Babri Action Committee member Haji Mehboob said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had "never talked with us nor had he sent us any message," a news agency reported.

Earlier reports by suggested that spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar didn't speak to the Babri Action Committee about the long-running Babri Masjid dispute in Ayodhya.

"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," ANI quoted Babri Action Committee member Haji Mehboob as saying.

According to reports, members of the Nirmohi Akhada and All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) asked the Art of Living founder to 'mediate' the Babri Masjid dispute.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that the mediation process is yet to start and if called upon, he would definitely want to help." Some people came and met me that's all. There is positive energy with everybody and people want to settle the issue. If I need be to play that role (mediator), am all willing to do that," he said. 

"Both communities should come together and show their magnanimity... Cannot predict anything, but I only wish we for all to come together and do something great for the nation."

(With inputs from Yasir Mushtaq)