Asked SC to appoint judges to mediate 'Ram Mandir' issue: Swamy

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy, who filed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking urgent hearing of Ayodhya dispute, on Wednesday said he has asked the apex court to appoint judges to mediate and conclude the matter.

"The Supreme Court has only said that I should explore that whether there is a possibility of a negotiated settlement. I said that I have already spoken to all the other parties and they don't want to do it because if there is a bilateral agreement between the two parties then they feel that they might be accused by the hardliners of surrendering to their Hindu interest. I said there should be judge who should mediate and see the discussion come to the conclusion," Swamy told ANI.

He further said that the apex court would let him know about its decision regarding appointment of judge on March 31.

"The court said that in the meantime it will decide whether they want to have a Supreme Court judge. So, on the March 31 it will tell me as what they propose to do," he added.

Swamy said that the matter would get over soon if the apex court agrees to appoint judges to mediate the matter else the hearing would continue.

The apex court yesterday said the Ayodhya dispute is a sensitive and sentimental issue, adding its best that this matter was settled amicably.

The court asked 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.

The court also suggested if required, a principal mediator can be chosen by the court for settling the issue. Chief Justice J.S. Khehar said if the parties want him to mediate then he is ready for the task.