Sri Sri Ravi Shankar doesn't qualify to mediate in Ayodhya dispute: RV Vedanti

Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ram Vilas Vedanti on Monday hit back at the Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar over his initiative to resolve the Ayodhya issue, stating that he "doesn't qualify" for it.

Speaking to ANI, Vedanti said, "How can someone, who has never been associated with the movement and never had darshan of the Ram Lalla, mediate on the matter of temple construction...we have gone to jail for it, faced house arrest and have been fighting court cases ...Sri Sri does not qualify to mediate on the matter. Lakhs have sacrificed for it, how can Sri Sri Ravi Shankar come in between? He has no right to mediate".

"We want Muslim religious leaders to come forward. We will sit together and discuss the issue...We want Hindus and Muslims together to find a solution to the dispute and that temple is constructed on the basis of mutual agreement," Vedanti said.

Vedanti's statement comes hours after Sri Sri Ravi Shankar came up with an initiative to resolve the Ayodhya issue and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and the Babri Action Committee opposing an out-of-the-court settlement.

Earlier in the week, The Art of Living Foundation said that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has been in touch with several imams and swamis, including Acharya Ram Das of Nirmohi Akhara, to help find an out-of-court settlement to the Ram Temple dispute.

Meanwhile, the AIMPLB too said that they do not favour arbitration and the dispute can only be settled through adjudication.