SC order for mediation on Ram temple: Owaisi opposes Sri Sri being named as mediator

Mediation process will be held in Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh.

The three-member panel will be headed by Justice (Retd) FM Kalifulla and also comprise spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi welcomed the Supreme Court order, but said it would have been better if top court had appointed a "neutral person".

"Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who's been appointed a mediator had earlier made a statement 'if Muslims don't give up their claim on Ayodhya, India will become Syria',' he stated.

'Respecting everyone, turning dreams to reality, ending long-standing conflicts happily and maintaining harmony in society - we must all move together towards these goals,' tweeted Sri Sri.

Refusing to comment on the apex court order, Union Minister Uma Bharti, however said - 'I don't want to comment on the mediators named by the court. But as a Hindu, I think, a temple should be made where Lord Ram was born.'

Welcoming the order, AIMPLB member and convener of Babri Masjid Action Committee Zafaryab Jilani, said, 'We have already said that we will cooperate in the mediation. Now, whatever we have to say, we will say it to the mediation panel, not outside.'

Justice Kalifulla, who will head the mediation panel, said if the committee has been constituted, 'We'll take every effort to resolve the issue amicably'.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister KP Maurya said he would not question the Supreme Court order.

'In the past, efforts were made to arrive at a solution, but with no success. No Lord Ram devotee or saint wants delay in construction of Ram Mandir,' he said.

Mediation in Ayodhya matter can show the path to the shared destiny of Hindus and Muslims, tweeted Congress leader Salman Khurshid.

The Supreme Court said mediation proceedings should be held on-camera. The top court said mediation process has to start within four weeks and to be completed within eight weeks. It also said that the reporting of the mediation proceedings in media will be banned.