Bangalore: Kanchi Seer Jayendra Saraswathi yesterday (Nov 30, 2003) said he would resume talks in the next 10 to 15 days with Muslim religious leaders to resolve the Ayodhya dispute, independent of the moves by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

"Ramzan is over, now we have to meet with Muslim leaders. It will take around 10 to 15 days, after the election results, they (Muslims) will come to us, we will discuss," Jayendra Saraswathi told reporters in Bangalore at the Golden Jubilee celebrations of his ascension to the Kanchi Kamakoti peetam.

Asserting that religious leaders were best suited to find a solution to the Ayodhya issue and not politicians, he said, "It is a religious issue. What is the role for politics in religion? It should be for us (to decide) they should keep out of this.

"This is a religious issue. Rama's religion and Allah's religion...both are same," he said.

"They (VHP) will hold talks independently. We will not hold talks against VHP nor favouring them. We religious leaders will do our job," the seer said.

Asked on whether he had "betrayed" Muslim leaders during the failed talks early this year by insisting on building a Ram temple at the disputed site, he said, "It is not a betrayal…every one has to adjust… people should talk with each other and adjust."

He said that efforts were on to build a Ram temple at Ayodhya. "All of us who are born in India...Hindus, Muslims, Christians…every one will be happy (if temple is built)…no one will be sad," the seer said.

Jayendra Saraswathi insisted that the forthcoming talks would not be complicated and hoped that everyone will favour a peaceful solution for the Ayodhya dispute.

PTI