MUMBAI: Union minister

on Thursday demanded land for construction of a

in

. He said he would soon meet Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath regarding the demand. "I want around 20 acres to be allotted to Buddhists and a grand Buddhist temple should be built in Ayodhya. I will soon meet the UP CM," Athawale said.

Supreme Court, in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit verdict, last year gave the disputed site to Hindus for construction of a Ram temple and ordered UP government to give five acres to the Sunni Waqf Board at another place in Ayodhya for construction of a mosque. Athawale said, "If my demand is not considered, we who believe in Buddhist thoughts, will form a trust, acquire land in Ayodhya and construct a Buddhist temple there."