VHP leader wants Muslims to give up claim over Ayodhya

There can be no communal harmony unless Muslims forgo their claim on Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi, where there are temple-mosque disputes, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal said today and asked Sunni Central Board and All India Muslim Personal Law Board to take initiative.

"They (Muslims) should also think how far this struggle will go," he told PTI in Ayodhya.

"Hindu-Muslim brotherhood and harmony cannot be created unless they (Muslims) forgo their claim on three places -- Ayodhya, Mathura and Kashi," said Singhal, referring to the temple-mosque disputes.

He said until the Muslims give up their claim, "the struggle will continue".

"If they want to take it through court, then there will be 10,000 of cases," Singhal added.

The former VHP international president said Sunni Central Board should take an initiative in this direction. "We have said that All India Muslim Personal Law Board should also take an initiative."

Referring to the Ayodhya temple issue, he said the status quo is only on 110 ft by 95 ft land. "There is no status quo on the 70 acre land which was acquired. This land is deserted like jungle. Who said that this area should not be developed?"

He said around Rs 10,000 crore of government funds have been spent on security ever since the disputed structure was demolished on December 6, 1992.

"But the security which we imagined is not visible," Singhal said, claiming that when terrorists attacked the premises in 2005, it was the local residents who informed the security personnel.

At the same time, he flayed regular deployment of security forces at the disputed site, saying it creates "terror".