New Delhi: Hardening his stand amidst efforts by Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati to solve the Ayodhya issue, Ram Janmabhoomi Trust chief Mahant Ramchandra Paramhans on June 22 said he would not accept any formula proposed by any religious or political leader except construction of a temple at the place where Lord Ram was born.

"We want only a Ram temple at Ayodhya...we will not allow anyone to indulge in politics on the issue of Ram temple", the Mahant, who is convalescing at a hospital after a heart attack, told reporters.

Hindu and Muslim religious leaders were free to air their views on the issue and can even exchange any formula they like, he said adding "but tell me, what should you expect at the place where Lord Ram was born... Of course a Ram temple".

Revenue records and the historical evidence prove that Lord Ram was born in Ram Janmabhoomi area, he said.

"If he was born here (Ayodhya), Ram temple will be constructed at this place only," the Mahant said.

The Ram Janmabhoomi Trust chief, however, rejected having a temple and a mosque constructed side- by-side as reportedly proposed by the Shankaracharya in a letter to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).

"It is sacrilegious to think of construction of a mosque at the birth place of Lord Ram," he said.

The Mahant said the Ram Janmabhoomi issue was close to his heart and he would not allow anyone to bargain on it.

The "liberation" of Kashi and Mathura was linked with the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya, he said.

Once the Ram temple is constructed, the next point on his agenda would be to "liberate" Kashi and Mathura, the Mahant said.

Distraught over the role played by politicians in the issue, he said, "I am hurt...the government for which I indulged in politics has betrayed me...we had a different vision of their government...but once it was formed we found it behaving differently," he said. Without naming anybody the Mahant said, "apne bhi paraye ho gaye (friends have turned their back on us".

PTI