New Delhi: Seeking to put at rest the controversy over its stand on the Ayodhya issue, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on May 31 categorically told its cadres from the minority community that it favoured construction of a grand Ram temple at the Ram Janambhoomi site and a mosque outside a five kilometre radius of the disputed site – a demand echoed by Sangh Parivar.

Asserting that BJP was not a "construction company" to build temples and mosques, party general secretary and spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "We want a grand Ram temple to be built at the Ram 'janmasthan' and we are not against the Muslims building a mosque at a location of their choice outside the Panchkosi Parikrama."

Addressing the national executive of the party's minority 'morcha', he said the party wanted an immediate settlement to the issue, as it was being exploited by vested interests to divide Hindus and Muslims and divert attention from the social and economic issues affecting the minority community.

"Attempts are being made by the Opposition and so-called secular forces to mislead and confuse the people on the sensitive issue," Naqvi said.

Interestingly, it was at a social harmony rally organised by Naqvi at Rampur that party president M Venkaiah Naidu suggested construction of a mosque alongside the temple at Ayodhya, leading to sharp reactions from both Sangh Parivar outfits and Muslim organisations.

Naidu later retracted saying he was "misunderstood" by the media, but the confusion remained.

Reacting to Naidu's suggestion, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had asserted that it would not allow a mosque to be built within five kms circumference surrounding the disputed site.

PTI