Govt should not get into Ayodhya dispute: Sibal

Government should not step into the Ayodhya issue as it was a "private dispute" which should be left to the parties concerned to resolve, Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal has said.

Reconciliation must be left to the parties concerned. The fact of the matter is that compromise and reconciliation is the way forward, he said.

"Government has no role to play in this. It can state publicly that the matter be resolved by the parties concerned. But I don't think we can force the government in such a complex situation. Why should government get involved in a private dispute," Sibal, an eminent lawyer, said.

He told Karan Thapar in an interview that there are complex issues such as the issue of possession, who is in possession of the site.

"What is the concept of possession in the 17th century, 16th century India when it all happened. What are prescripted right under law to establish ownership, do those rights apply to 16th century India. What is the concept of ownership in the context of a place of worship. These are fundamental issue which the Supreme Court has to go into...I hope so."

Sibal was replying to a question whether government must step in.

The Minister's comments come in the backdrop of the Congress Working Committee yesterday saying that the party respects the Allahabad High Court judgement and would welcome efforts by parties concerned with the dispute to find an amicable and peaceful settlement.

Sibal said that the issues are highly complex and the Supreme Court will be very careful and meticulous in analysing the judgement and coming to a conclusion consistent with the Constitution.

The apex court could take long time to deliver its verdict, Sibal felt.