The Hindu : Muslim Law Board against talks on Ayodhya before elections

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 23, 2004

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Muslim Law Board against talks on Ayodhya before elections

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 23. The All-India Muslim Personal Law Board said today that although it would not reject any proposal from the Centre on a negotiated settlement of the Ayodhya issue, any initiative on the subject now would be "highly improper" as campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections had started. It called for the postponement of any talks on the issue till after the elections.

In a statement here, the convener and spokesman of the AIMPLB Committee on Babri Masjid, S.Q.R. Ilyas, said several religious leaders and distinguished persons had approached the Board and that numerous proposals had been made for negotiations on the dispute.

However, the Board did any favour any initiative at this point of time as it would give the impression that it was being done for election purposes and that political interests had motivated such a venture.

"Therefore, such negotiations will be untimely and counterproductive," he said.

The Board, however, maintained that it would not reject any proposal for talks, particularly if it came from the Central Government, with two prior conditions: (a) The Government should come out with a comprehensive proposal and, (b) It should create a conducive atmosphere for talks.

According to the Board, "the proposal for talks should be kept in abeyance and all those who are sincere in seeking settlement through negotiations, should appreciate the rationality, pragmatism and expediency of postponing it till the elections."

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