Babri Masjid row| Sants and devotees should decide, not Supreme Court: Pejawar seer

Udupi, Nov 2: Pejawar Mutt pontiff Vishwesha Tirtha Swami has dropped a hint that he may not accept the verdict of Supreme Court judgment on Babri Masjid issue if it gives priority to history over mythology.

Speaking at a religious awareness campaign organised by Sabarimala Ayyappa Swami Samajam and Dharma Foundation at the MGM College Grounds here, the seer said that the final decision on the issue should be taken by the sants (saints) and devotees.

He stated that it would be difficult for him to accept a Supreme Court judgment if it went against the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. The Hindu sants would also oppose the judgment of the Supreme Court if it went against the Ram Temple. Hence, the decision with regard to the construction of temple in Ayodhya should be taken outside courts, he added.

Referring to the Sabarimala issue, the seer said that it would be better if the government and courts did not interfere in the matters of religion, tradition and religious practices.

The seer said that without any discrimination of caste and creed, the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple was a centre of Hindu organisation. It was necessary to follow religion and values and give up vices to get a darshan of Ayyappa Swami.

The Kerala government should have gone on appeal on the Supreme Court verdict in the Sabarimala case. By not doing so, it had gone against the sentiments of a large number of devotees, the Pejawar seer said.

P.G. Sasikumar Varma, representative of the Pandalam Palace, Shivaram, president of the State unit of Ayyappa Seva Samaj, Ramachandra Swami of Uttara Kashi Kapilashram, Kuntar Ravish Tantri, and others were present.