A peace delegation consisting of several eminent personalities from across the country visited the contentious Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya last week to deliberate, debate and strive for an amicable solution through consensus to solve the long impasse.
The 11-member world peace delegation hosted by the Maharashtra Institute of Technology’s (MIT) World Peace University consisted of eminent personalities like the Vijay Bhatkar, Vice Chancellor of Nalanda University, former Union minister Arif Mohammad Khan, Anis Chisti, an eminent Muslim scholar, Basant Gupta, former Ambassador of India to Italy, among many others.
Through their deliberations, the peace delegation has conceptualised the idea of “Vishwadharmi Shri Ram Manavta Bhawan” which would be a magnificent and grand temple of Lord Ram built on the 2.77 acres of disputed land. It would be surrounded by places of worship from all religions, including Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jews, etc.
Not only this, according to the delegates, the 67.77 acres of land would also consist of libraries that would have books of all religions. Schools would also be opened that would teach religious scriptures and holy books.
Former Union Minister Arif Mohammad Khan told The Sunday Guardian, “This idea which has been conceptualised seems to be a brilliant one. It is a win-win situation for all religions. And when I think of this, I think of an India and Ayodhya which would become the hub of all religions in the world where they could come and learn and see for themselves the communal harmony in this country.”
The delegation has also written a letter to the Prime Minister suggesting their idea and requesting him to bring on board all the petitioners and stakeholders.
Professor Vishwanath Karad, Vice-Chancellor of MIT World Peace University, told this newspaper, “We have written to the Prime Minister and apprised him of our idea. I think this is the best solution available with us. On this holy site where Lord Ram is believed to have taken birth, if we can develop it into a world religious hub, it would be a symbol of secularism and peace across the world. We want to utilise the acquired land for the development of the interfaith religious cultural hub, while the main land will be used to build a grand temple of Lord Ram.”
The delegation was also taken on a full guided tour of the 67.77 acres of the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid site, including the 2.77 acres of the main land of the sanctum sanctorum where currently the idol of Ram Lalla is seated.
Firoz Bhakt Ahmed, eminent scholar and grandnephew of Maulana Azad, told this newspaper, “We will need to solve this long impasse and this seems to be the best solution available. Temples of all religions would not only speak of cultural and communal harmony in India, they would also attract a lot of tourists from across the world. I think this is an idea which will benefit all religions as well as Ayodhya and Uttar Pradesh in terms of economy.”