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New Delhi: Asserting that a court verdict on the Ayodhya issue could make either community bitter, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on August 27 urged Muslims to respect Hindu sentiments in the wake of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) findings and pave way for Ram temple construction at the disputed site, "as delay can only vitiate the atmosphere".

"The ultimate evidence sought by the critics of the temple in the form of ASI excavations is also before us now. With this, the dispute should be put to rest and all of us should come together to rebuild the Ram temple," party president Venkaiah Naidu told reporters.

He said even if the court proceeded and delivered the judgement, "it will make one party a victor and the other a loser".

Interestingly, the party had been in favour of a solution to the vexed issue through a judicial settlement or through negotiations or consensus legislation.

"In the light of the conclusive evidence, the Muslim community should rise above narrow considerations and in the spirit of brotherhood pave way for the construction of a Ram temple at the venerated site," he said.

Asking Muslims not to be misled by the arguments of so-called pseudo secularists, the BJP chief said "We want the temple to be built as a symbol of national self-respect and honour, not just a victory for one community over the other."

He said the BJP was keen to see that "the two contending parties meet afresh, discuss matters in the light of the new facts to reach an amicable solution for the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya".

PTI