Friday, July 8 2005 15:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: BJP's (Bharatiya Janata Party) former National Secretary Sudheendra Kulkarni, who resigned amidst controversy over his attack on the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), has demanded that Hindus and Hindu organisations express "sincere regrets" to their Muslim brethren for the demolition of Babri Masjid, which was a "shaming molestation of basic Hindu tenets".

"Hindus and Hindu organisations should express sincere regrets to their Muslim brethren for December 6 (1992), recognising that what happened on that day was a shamming molestation of basic Hindu tenets, of the secular canons of the Indian Constitution, of the idea of India, and of God's commandment to mankind to live in brotherhood and harmony.

"And hereafter, no re-opening of any Mandir-Masjid issues", he said in a hard-hitting article in 'The Indian Express'.

Kulkarni, however said, "Muslims should respect the sentiments of their Hindu brethren to see a Ram temple constructed at a site they believe is Ram Janambhoomi".

Kulkarni said the terrorist attack in Ayodhya was the "second ungodly act" while "the first was perpetrated on December 6, 1992".

"And the time has come to expiate the sinfulness of both acts in a manner that strengthens national integration and promotes communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims", he said.

Stressing on the need to curb the tendency to associate Islam with the Ayodhya incident and similar acts of terrorism, he said, "No Muslim can commit or condone July 5, just as no true Hindu can commit or condone December 6".

The BJP leader, who was accused of having "misled" party President L K Advani during his controversial Pakistan visit, said, "Just as we must never associate Islam with terrorism (terrorists have no religion), we should also refrain from linking every act of terrorism in India with the people and Government of Pakistan".

"In this context, the BJP President's refusal to blame Pakistan for the Ayodhya incident is as eloquent as the Pakistan Government's welcome gesture last month of inviting L K Advani to do the 'shilanyas' for the restoration of Hindu temples at Katas Raj", he said.