New Delhi: Amidst stepped-up rhetoric of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Praveen Togadia on the Ayodhya and Iraq issues, the government fielded its mediator with Sangh Parivar, Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi, who spoke to top leaders urging to avoid statements that would vitiate the government's initiative and widen the area of conflict.

Simultaneously, the VHP also sought to do damage control by distancing itself from the remarks of Togadia on the two issues.

Sources in the 'sangh parivar' said VHP has been asked by Rashtreeya Svayamsevak Sangh (RSS) not to take "extreme" positions on issues, especially Ayodhya. VHP leader Acharya Giriraj Kishore's statements on February 12 came reportedly at the intervention of RSS.

Joshi, who last week was asked by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to act as a go- between VHP and government on the Ayodhya issue, spoke to Ashok Singhal and other VHP leaders in the wake of Togadia's remark about the undisputed land.

"In this context, I had told them that the matter concerns only the undisputed area and is in the consideration of the Supreme Court. The issue of disputed area will be resolved as per the decision of the court," the Minister said.

He said statements, which are not in the interest of the present initiative should be avoided and area of conflict should not be widened.

Joshi said the government's stand on Iraq was very clear and it has been endorsed by the entire nation. "The VHP leaders informed me that they have not taken any stand on the issue," he added.

Regarding Togadia's demand for handing over of the disputed land in Ayodhya, Kishore said his remarks had been "misinterpreted" by the media.

"Our view is that if the undisputed land of 43 acres, owned by 'Ram Janambhoomi Nyas', is not returned by February 21, then VHP would demand handing over of disputed land as well," Kishore said.

The temple issue would come up at a meeting between leaders of RSS and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in New Delhi on February 13.

PTI