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Bangalore: Asserting that the Ayodhya issue is not an "object of bargain", Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on July 11 said it is pushing Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) position of seeking a legislative solution to the tangle.

Asked if RSS would push the VHP position, RSS spokesman Ram Madhav said when he says legislative option should not be ruled out, it amounted to "pushing".

While appreciating the initiative taken by Kanchi Shankaracharya, Madhav said a "few others" – not of RSS and VHP – are also making facilitatory efforts to bring both (disputing) parties to the negotiating table.

Without naming the facilitators, he said, "All efforts appear to be aimed at bringing both sections to the negotiating table."

RSS understands Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) position on the legislative option as the party does not have enough Members of Parliaments (MPs) since some of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies would not support such a move, he said.

RSS is putting its weight behind VHP's campaign seeking the support of MPs cutting across party lines for the legislative move, Madhav indicated.

Madhav categorically said Ayodhya is not an "object of bargain", adding, suggestions of "give-and-take" (take Ayodhya and give Kashi and Mathura) is not at all acceptable to RSS.

"We do not look at the issue as Hindu-Muslim dispute. We perceive it as the nation's self-respect and honour," he said.

Madhav said when top RSS leaders met Shankaracharya on July 7 after the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) rejecting his initiative, the seer was still hopeful of restarting the process.

"He (the Shankaracharya) is not at all ruling out negotiations. Let us hope that they (AIMPLB) will go back to the Shankaracharya," he said.

By rejecting his initiative, a "golden opportunity" had been frittered away to start a dialogue, RSS felt.

PTI