Sri Sri Ravi Shankar urges Muslims to hand over land in Ayodhya to Hindus

In a significant statement on the Ayodhya issue, the Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has appealed to Muslims to shelve their claim from the 2.77 acres land since offering ‘namaj’ at the disputed place is a ‘gunah’ (sin) as per Quran and Islamic laws.

Speaking at Sant Samagam in Varanasi, the spiritual leader claimed that “talks on the Ayodhya issue between the two parties was heading in a positive direction and he was hopeful of an early solution to the land dispute ahead of the Supreme Court verdict”.  

After reaching Gorakhpur, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar met the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who was already there to address a public rally in the run to Lok Sabha by-polls. The meeting between the two lasted for about 40 minutes at famous Gorakhnath temple headed by the Chief Minister. Sources claimed that the spiritual leader briefed Yogi Adityanath about the progress in talks on the Ayodhya issue and sought his cooperation in settling the issue out of court. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had met the Chief Minister in November last year in Lucknow but Yogi Adityanath had maintained the party stand to wait for the Supreme Court verdict.

“It is a dispute for a small piece of land where Babri mosque once stood. Since Muslims are not offering namaz since long and Hindus believe it the birthplace of Lord Rama, Muslims should hand over the land to Hindus for the construction of Ram temple and the latter should also arrange land for building the mosque at some other place,” he suggested for settling the dispute.

“Quran says that offering of namaz at a disputed mosque is a gunah (sin). It also says that the mosque can only be constructed at a place which is free from any dispute. Since no mosque could be constructed at the site as per their religious beliefs, Muslims should respect their sentiments and claim and hand over the land to Hindus for the construction of Ram temple, which is a matter of faith for 100 crore Hindus in the country,” said he.  

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar claimed that much headway has been made on a positive note in this regard, only a few ‘Duryodhans’ were opposing the move due to their self and political interests.

“The court verdict may go either way. It will create a permanent schism between the members of the two communities for centuries to come. Peaceful solution through talks was the only way to develop trust and create a permanent bonding in their hearts,” suggested he.

After addressing Sant Samagam, the spiritual leader went on an 'Anugrah Yatra' tour to Eastern Uttar Pradesh along with 1200 of his followers on a special train to propagate peace, spirituality and religious tolerance. His yatra will go through Mau, Shravasti, Gorakhpur and will culminate at Lucknow on Wednesday. 

Earlier, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had visited Lucknow and Ayodhya and met with litigants as well religious heads of both communities to initiate talks in November last year. He had also met an eight-member delegation of Muslim leaders, including Maulana Salman Nadvi, on February 8 in Bengaluru. Maulana Nadvi, an executive member of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), was later expelled from the Board following his meeting with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.