Shatrughan Sinha for peace, development instead of emphasis on Ram temple issue

Hailing the Supreme Court for refusing to give an early hearing to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shatrughan Sinha on Friday said that such issues should not be given focus at a time when Uttar Pradesh has given mandate for development.

Sinha said unnecessarily pressurizing the court to hear a vulnerable matter is not correct at a time when atmosphere of peace is prevailing in the state.

"If the Supreme Court has not agreed to hear this matter urgently then I believe it is best for the state. Looking at the current context, it is time when we should concentrate on maintaining peace and focus on development. I think the decision of the Supreme Court is laudable," said Sinha.

"At a time when we are working on the lines of 'sabka saath sabka vikas' all of a sudden urging the Supreme Court to hear the matter seems an out of the blue attempt which is not necessary," he added.

The Supreme Court earlier today refused to accord an early hearing on a batch of civil appeals pertaining to the Ayodhya Ram Temple-Babri Masjid case.

Earlier on March 21, the apex court said that fresh attempts must be made by all parties to end the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute through a negotiated settlement.

Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar, who offered to mediate between both parties in the Ayodhya case, said that he was willing spare any other sitting Supreme Court judge for the purpose.