Working to find out an amicable solution to the Ayodhya tangle, Art of Living Founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar today said that unlike any court verdict, a solution through dialogue will be recognised for ages.
Ravi Shankar was talking to newspersons after meeting rector of Darul Uloom Farangimahal, Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangimahli and other Muslim leaders as part of his efforts to mediate a solution to the protracted Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, a day after he met various leaders across the religious spectrum.
"All issues can be resolved through dialogue...we all respect the courts but it (courts) cannot connect hearts... even after 50 years or 100 years, the judgements of courts will remain as such but if we find out a solution through our hearts it will be recognised for ages," he said.
Farangimahli, who is also a senior member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board( AIMPLB), however, later clarified that he welcomed Sri Sri as 'Iman-e-Shahr' and 'Imam-e-Idgah'.
"The AIMPLB has nothing to do with this meeting. I have welcomed him as 'Iman-e-Shahr' and 'Imam-e-Idgah'," Farangimahli said.
Ravi Shankar said they both agreed on the need to build bridges and that there is really no conflict between comminities living together for centuries. "We have to create an atmosphere of friendliness, belongingness and togetherness and then we can solve all the issues of the country."
The spiritual leader, however, accepted that it was late for such efforts but added he wanted the issue to be resolved soon.
"All issues concerning the nation and population need to be discussed...a new message of brotherhood and old culture needs to be taken forward," he said.
To a question if these efforts are for a settlement before the court decision or even after that, he said, "We are not leaving any possibility... we are not working on an agenda but trying to find a way out...give us time there is no need for hurry...we will talk to all...religious heads will come together and talk."
Ravi Shankar was confident that something big will be achieved for the country through this dialogue.
Farangimahli said that the common thing that emerged between the two leaders was that if leaders of both the religions sit on a regular basis at every level, differences will be resolved.
"He has come to the Islamic Centre to meet us...madarsa children welcomed him as per the 'ganga jamuni tehzib' of the country...we have together deliberated on how the two major communities should be brought together to spread the mission of communal harmony in the country in a big way," Farangimahli said.
The message that will go from here will have a very good impact, he said.
Leaders of the Islamic Centre and Idgah were also present during the meeting, representative of Art of Living Gautam Vig said.
The Art of Living founder had offered to mediate on resolving the issue, but his efforts have found favour only with a section of both the communities, while the major parties including the AIMPLB (All India Muslim Personal Law Board) and VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) have expressed reservations over his role.
The VHP and the AIMPLB have already rejected the relevance of mediation efforts of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
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