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| Tuesday, 5 August 2003 |
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Explosive temple-mosque row to be settled by courts or talks: Indian PM NEW DELHI, Monday (AFP) Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, under withering opposition attack in parliament, Monday stressed he wanted a bitter dispute between Hindus and Muslims over a holy site in northern India settled through the courts or by negotiation. Opposition members sparked an uproar in the lower house when they accused Vajpayee of "inciting communal passions" by his comments at the funeral of a Hindu priest in which he vowed to ensure a temple was built on the site, in the town of Ayodhya. Addressing mourners Friday at the funeral in Ayodhya of priest Ramchandra Paramhans - the main force behind a rightwing Hindu drive to build a temple at the site - Vajpayee said: "I shall fulfil his last wish. "I am convinced that all hurdles will be removed gradually. Those who are opposing it (construction of the temple) will have the right wisdom. I make this commitment in front of his funeral fire and ashes," Vajpayee said. On Monday, the prime minister attempted to clarify his statements to a vociferous opposition. "I said I believe that his (the guru's) last wish will be fulfilled. What is wrong in saying that? I did not say it would be done forcefully." Vajpayee told belligerent opposition MPs that his government's stand had been consistent - that the issue can be resolved either through the court or through dialogue between Hindu and Muslim leaders. "Has anyone read my speech at Ayodhya?" Vajpayee asked. "I had said everyone would together decide on the temple (issue). This has been our stand all along... There are differences of views on Ayodhya. That is why the issue has not been solved. He also said he would quit if pressured by Hindu activists on the government's stand on the issue. "Let me tell you, there is no compulsion on me. If ever there is any compulsion, I shall leave everything and quit," Vajpayee said. |
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