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Kolkata: Noted Muslim clerics and scholars of the metropolis on June 26 opposed any out-of-court settlement of the Ayodhya dispute while stressing that the Muslims of the country would abide by any decision of the court in this regard.

Opposing the negotiations between the Muslim Personal Law Board and the Shankaracharya of Kanchi Peeth to settle the vexed issue, the Muslim clerics headed by Imam of Tipu Sultan mosque Noorur Rahman Barkati said that there was no point in discussions after the demolition of the Babri mosque.

"As the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi issue is sub-judice, there can be no out-of-court settlement and the Muslims would accept the verdict of the Supreme Court only," Barkati told reporters.

The entire Muslim community has full faith in the highest judiciary, the Supreme Court, in this regard, he said.

Maulana Athar Abbas Rizwi, member of the Muslim Personal Law Board from West Bengal, said that this problem could be solved only after the reconstruction of Babri mosque.

Mohammad Abu Talib, vice president of a city-based Muslim body Qaumi Tanzim, said there should have been talks before the demolition of the structure and now there could be talks only after reconstruction of the mosque.

He alleged that it was under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani that Babri mosque was demolished in 1992 and now the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raked up the issue in view of the coming Lok Sabha elections next year.

Describing Shankaracharya as a respected religious leader, he said that he should not become a "puppet" in the hands of the BJP-led government.

PTI