Ram Mandir – Ayodhya issue: The Ram Janam Bhoomi workshop in Ayodhya. (Express Photo by Vishal Srivastav) Ram Mandir – Ayodhya issue: The Ram Janam Bhoomi workshop in Ayodhya. (Express Photo by Vishal Srivastav)

Describing the Ram Mandir as a “sensitive” and “sentimental” issue, the Supreme Court on Tuesday suggested that it would be best if the contentious issue is settled amicably. The suggestion from the top court comes after BJP leader Subramanian Swamy sought urgent hearing on the Ayodhya dispute. The court called upon parties concerned to sit together to arrive at a consensus and asked Swamy to consult the parties and inform it about the decision on March 31.

“These are issues of religion and sentiments. These are issues where all the parties can sit together and arrive at a consensual decision to end the dispute. All of you may sit together and hold a cordial meeting,” said the bench headed by Chief Justice J S Khehar.

CJI Khehar even went on to say he was ready to mediate on the controversial issue if the parties concerned want him to. The top court further said all parties should choose mediators to make a fresh attempt to settle the issue and that a principal mediator can be chosen by the court, if required, for settling the issue.

The issue dates back to 1992, when hundreds of karsevaks brought down the 16th century mosque in Ayodhya amid claims it was the birthplace of the Hindu deity Lord Rama and the mosque was built on the holy land of Hindus. A number of senior BJP leaders, including LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi are the accused in the case.

In 2010, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had pronounced its verdict on the long-standing Ayodhya Ramjanmabhumi-Babri Masjid issue and ruled for a three-way division of the disputed area, between the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and the party for ‘Ram Lalla’.

Last year, the Supreme Court had allowed BJP leader Subramanian Swamy to intervene in the pending matters relating to the Ayodhya dispute as he sought construction of Ram temple at the site of the demolished disputed structure.

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