The issue of building the temple by VHP at the disputed Ayodhya site has been a bone of contention since the 1990s. Though VHP fixed March 15, 2002 as its deadline to commence work on the temple, it assured the Centre that the Ides of March would not be another 'black' December 6.

Given below are the comments of national leaders on Ayodhya dispute:

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee: said the government would abide by the Supreme Court Order on the issue of "Bhoomi poojan" in the acquired land in Ayodhya.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee: said that he did not represent any particular community but the entire nation and it was his responsibility to maintain law and order.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri: asserted that the Supreme Court Order on the symbolic "Bhoomi poojan" at Ayodhya would be implemented and said all security arrangements have been completed.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas: announced that they would go ahead with their programme on March 15 to donate a Shila for construction of Ram Temple, 500 feet away from the undisputed land.

Shankaracharya Adhokshajananda: said the decision of Supreme Court on the Ayodhya issue should be acceptable to all parties and asked the government to deal strictly with those trying to foment trouble in the name of Lord Ram.

Vinay Katiyar, Member of Parliament and founder president of Bajrang Dal, VHP's youth wing: said that VHP may go in for “Bhoomi Pooja" in the premises of one of the 10 temples located in the acquired land in Ayodhya instead of its earlier plan to carry it out near the disputed site.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee The Shankarcharya of Kanchi has initiated a welcome process of talks between representatives of the two communities.

Sankaracharya of Kanchi Mutt, Jayendra Saraswathi I have done whatever I can. It is upto the parties who are now negotiating to do their utmost.

Executive Committee member and Babri Masjid Action Committee Convenor Syed Shahabuddin The general feeling of the Executive Committee members is that we are not in a position to give any positive response to the proposal.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee The government would do as per the directions of the Supreme Court, which is hearing the matter on March 13.

VHP spokesman Veereshwar Dwivedi: The issue of the 43 acres of acquired undisputed land is between the government and the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas and no third party including Muslims has any role in it.

President of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMIM), Shahabuddin It is a reprehensible step at this juncture to lift the restrictions on entry into Ayodhya as this will permit the VHP/Nyas to build up its strength in Ayodhya.

Congress spokesman Jaipal Reddy It is our earnest appeal to the Central government to see the situation in Ayodhya does not spin out of control.

All India Muslim Personal Law Board Convener S Q R Illyas We cannot be talking in the air while discussing the proposal at the executive committee meeting of the Board convened on March 10.

Bharat Sadhu Samaj (BSS) general secretary Swami Harinarayananand It (VHP) has played with the sentiments of millions of people as the birthplace of Lord Rama is only one in the world which cannot be adjudicated, shifted or altered.

Ram Janambhoomi Nyas convenor Ramchandra Das All programmes of March 15 will go on as scheduled.

Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid Ahmad Bukhari We are not going to ponder over any formula, whatsoever, we respect the judiciary of the country and we will abide by the court verdict.

Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati says that Vishwa Hindu Parishad is not competent to comment on Supreme Court's verdict on Ayodhya and only Ramjanambhoomi Nyas (Trust) has a say in it.

Home Minister L K Advani: BJP did not join the Ayodhya movement to exploit the "Hindu psyche" or to create a "Hindu Vote".

Congress president Sonia Gandhi: The Vajpayee government must not give any concessions to the VHP. She even disapproved of any "bargain" with the RSS on the Ram Temple issue.

Union Law Minister Arun Jaitley: There is "positive movement" in efforts to end the Ayodhya impasse.

Union Minister Uma Bharati appeals to Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to postpone its plans to start construction on Ram Temple from March 15 in view of the present situation in the country.

RSS Chief K S Sudarshan asks the government not to prevent pilgrims from traveling to Ayodhya to participate in the "Purna Ahuti Yagna" there warning this would hurt Hindu sentiments and lead to "unnecessary tensions".

J&K CM Farooq Abdullah: The political leadership must see the writing on the wall and ensure amity in the wake of rising tempers over Ayodhya issue.

Karnataka CM S M Krishna: The Karnataka government will implement the Centre's guidelines on the issue of dealing with kar sevaks proceeding to Ayodhya under the VHP's Ram Temple programme.

Ex-Army Chief General V P Malik: The country cannot afford flash points like Ayodhya and Gujarat and would have to create a "must win" atmosphere for defeating the enemy across the border and curbing cross-border terrorism.

Shiv Sena MPs met Vajpayee to seek protection for Ayodhya-bound Ram sevaks in view of the attack on Sabarmati Express.

DMK president M Karunanidhi: welcomed the initiative taken by Jayendra Saraswathi, the Sankarachaya of Kanchi Kamakodi Peetam, to find a solution to the Ayodhya issue. DMK would welcome any "amicable" settlement arising out of negotiations between Muslim and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders, as part of the compromise formula being evolved by the Sankaracharya, he said.

Trust Convenor Ramchandra Das Paramhans: Ram Janambhoomi Nyas convenor Ramchandra Das Paramhans on March 8 declared that "all programmes" planned for March 15 would be carried out as per schedule and warned the government against any interference.

Trinamool Congress leader Mamta Banerjee "We request the government to take steps to ensure that there is peace in Ayodhya and that there is no repetition of 1992."

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu said that it is the “responsibility” of the Centre to ensure peace and order at Ayodhya since there was no popular government in Uttar Pradesh.