Babri Masjid dispute snippets

The oldest litigant in the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi title dispute Hashim Ansari has said he was ready for a peaceful out-of-court solution and would even talk to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, if the latter assures time-bound trial of the case. The offer came the day Ansari decided to withdraw from the legal battle he has been fighting for the past 65 years and passed the baton to his son. He signed a will nominating his eldest son Iqbal his representative to pursue the case in Supreme Court. “I am ready to come to the negotiation table with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but before that I demand Modi to put the trial of Babri Masjid demolition accused on the fast track court,“ 92-year-old Ansari said. The special CBI courts in Lucknow and Rae Bareli are conducting trial of Babri Masjid demolition accused for past 22 years. If Modi promises to ensure personally that the accused would be punished within a time frame, I am ready for talks,” he added. On his decision to quit, Ansari said “I have been fighting the case since I was 27-year-old and spent my entire life for Babri Mosque. Now I have decided to retire because of my old age and failing health.” He clarified that he is not withdrawing the case from the court and only passing on the baton to his son. “I have full faith in the Supreme Court,” he said. He also criticised UP minister Azam Khan for calling Ram Janambhoomi “a dead issue”. Ansari said people who made a political career out of the case are staying in bungalows whereas Ram Lalla is living in a tent. “I want to see Ram Lalla free,” said Ansari. Zafaryab Jilani, convenor of Babri Masjid Action Committee, said Ansari's recusal from the case wouldn't have much effect.