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Akharas boycott Dharam Sansad

Prem Panicker in Kumbh Nagari

Pujas marked the formal opening of the Dharam Sansad on Friday morning. The ceremony is expected to go on for a couple of hours before the actual discourses and discussions begin.

The 14 Akharas that form part of the Akhara Parishad have persisted with their decision to boycott it.

Meanwhile, Shri Mahant Jagannathdasji Maharaj, head of the Nirmohi Akhara, scoffed at the Vishwa Hindu Parishad statement that a date would be fixed for the construction of the Ram Temple.

He asked, "Can you construct a house on land that does not belong to you?" When it was pointed out that the VHP had been talking about pressing the Union government to hand over the land, the Mahant said that the Union government does not have any say in the matter either.

He pointed out that the Ram Janmabhoomi land belongs to the Nirmohi Akhara, by virtue of a lease deed dated January 5, 1950. "Despite this," he said, "there were no attempts made by the VHP to contact the Nirmohi Akhara or obtain our permission for their activities."

He also pointed out that, as per the land revenue records of 1861, there was no mosque on the site. When the land came under dispute, there were five claimants. Four of those claimants were Muslims. The Nirmohi Akhara was the sole claimant on behalf of the Hindus.

"Had the Nirmohi Akhara not been party to the petition, the Hindus would have lost all claims to the Janmabhoomi. It is strange, therefore, that the VHP did not even think of inducting one member of the Nirmohi Akhara into the group of the so-called trustees who now claim to be preparing to build a temple on the site."

When asked whether he had taken part in the Dharam Sansad, he said the 14 major Akharas had already announced their decision to boycott it and that there was no change in the decision. "There is no ban on anybody taking part in an individual capacity," he added.

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