Ayodhya does not need another mosque: Shankaracharya

Ahead of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board meeting on Sunday to consider his proposal on the Ayodhya temple-mosque tangle, Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati on Saturday said the people of Ayodhya don't need another mosque.

"It (mosque) should be built where it is required....It is not required in Ayodhya where people are already worshipping...," the seer told NDTV 24X7.

He said the Muslims already have eight places of worship in  the area. "They can't leave the ones they are using to go to another place of worship."

Asked whether Muslims would agree to build a mosque outside the 'panchkosi parikrama' area of the disputed site in Ayodhya, he said: "Panchkosi is not the issue. Mosque should be built where it is required, where there is a sizeable Muslim population."

Asked what was the guarantee that after the Ayodhya issue is settled, Hindus will not demolish any more mosques, the Shankaracharya said: "Koi nahin girayega (nobody will demolish any more masjids)."

PTI