India News

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar meets Adityanath, stakeholders in Ayodhya dispute downplay mediation efforts

Published

9 years ago

November 15, 2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The BJP downplayed it and the Muslim bodies, too, rebuffed it, while the Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Shia Waqf Board claimed that their attempt at playing mediator to resolve the Ayodhya dispute is neither a publicity stunt nor is it politically motivated.

Questioning their intentions, as none of them is a party in the case, the stakeholders in the Ayodhya case slammed Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Waseem Rizvi of Shia Waqf Board, the two who have been talking of arriving at a reconciliation formula.

Ravi Shankar met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow ahead of his visit to Ayodhya on Thursday, a meeting described by a senior state official as a “courtesy meeting” which lasted about 15-20 minutes and went off well.

“As far as the Ayodhya issue is concerned, Adityanath’s stand is very clear. The state government is not a party. We welcome any settlement and will honour the decision of the court,” he said, according to media reports.

This was more in accordance with the line taken by senior RSS functionary Ram Madhav, who is now BJP national general secretary. Madhav Wednesday downplayed Ravi Shankar’s visit to Ayodhya. He said first the legal process should be allowed to be completed in the Supreme Court, and only after that should other options be explored.

Speaking to ANI, Madhav said, “The legal proceedings are at an advanced stage in the Supreme Court right now. We all should allow the legal process to be completed in the Supreme Court. Once that’s done, then other options can be explored. So right now the matter should be left for Supreme Court to decide.”

Earlier, Adityanath had welcomed Ravi Shankar’s move and said that any such move to mediate between the two parties was welcome. Adityanath said that talks were the only way out to find a solution to the dispute. He said that if no consensus is reached through talks, the court will take a decision on Ayodhya.

“Talks had begun earlier also and one party always excluded itself from it, so the problem is not that there should be talks, but that both parties should agree to it. Good results can come out of such talks, but the intention should be right,” Adityanath had earlier said.

That seems to have changed now. Besides the BJP, the Sunni Board and the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) also rebuffed the mediation efforts, saying Ravi Shankar had no legal standing on the Ayodhya matter and hence they had decided to reject his offer for a dialogue on the issue.

On the other hand, escalating the mediation move, Home Minister Rajnath Singh also met Muslim and Sufi clerics in the national capital for talks over the Ayodhya matter.

Ravi Shankar has refuted his critics’ claim that his efforts to mediate in the matter were influenced by the governments and has repeatedly stated that he was doing it “at his own will”.

Earlier this week, Ravi Shankar had said in Delhi that he was involved as a mediator in the Ram Temple dispute of his own will and would visit Ayodhya on November 16 to meet all stakeholders. He said he did not have an agenda and would listen to everybody.

Initiating his mediation effort, Ravi Shankar last month met Uttar Pradesh Shia Waqf Board Chief Wasim Rizvi in Bengaluru regarding the issue and Rizvi had described his meeting with the spiritual leader as “very positive”. Rizvi had said, “We are the real stakeholders here,” adding that the board welcomes Sri Sri’s initiative. He went on to say that the construction of the Ram Temple can begin as early as 2018.

On Monday, Waseem Rizvi and Ravi Shankar held a meeting on the Ayodhya issue after the former met saints in Ayodhya and leaders of the Akhada Parishad in Allahabad. Soon after his meeting, Rizvi, along with Narendra Giri, announced that the reconciliation was done. He further declared Ram temple will be built in Ayodhya, while the mosque will be constructed in the Muslim-dominated Ayodhya-Faizabad area.

However, while Art of living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar met Adityanath on Wednesday, the Shia Personal Law Board clarified that the Board does not agree to the claims made by the Shia Waqf Board. The Board labelled the claims made by Shia Waqf Board Chairman Waseem Rizvi as a publicity stunt.

All India Shia Personal Law Board member, Maulana Yasoob Abbas told News18, “Settlement is good, but how can you say that you are giving up the mosque land? A mosque is the house of Allah and the All India Shia Personal Law Board is certainly not ready to give up the mosque land. The Board certainly does not agree to what Waseem Rizvi or the Shia Waqf Board has claimed.”

The efforts for mediation in Ayodhya dispute have thus received a cold reception.

The Supreme Court had suggested that an out-of-court settlement was the best recourse to the dispute.

The apex court will commence the final hearing of the long-standing matter from December 5, a day before the 25th anniversary of the demolition of the medieval-era Babri Masjid, built by Mughal Emperor Babar in 1528.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Up Next

Robbers used Rs 2 coins to control signals, loot trains; two arrested

Don't Miss

Pradyuman murder: Victim’s father pleads Juvenile Justice Board to try accused as an adult

India News

IPS Officer Nupur Prasad gets Medal for Meritorious Service after Sushant Singh Rajput probe

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service this year.

Published

13 hours ago

August 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been recognised with the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) this year.

A 2007-batch AGMUT cadre officer, Ms Prasad recently returned to the Delhi Police after completing her tenure with the CBI. She is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), where she oversees investigations involving financial and economic crimes.

The award is part of this year’s recognition for police personnel for distinguished and meritorious service. Such honours recognise contributions in areas including investigation, crime prevention, public service, law and order and administration.

Nupur Prasad’s role in Sushant Singh Rajput case

Ms Prasad came into national focus during the CBI investigation into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020.

The case was transferred to the CBI in August 2020 following a complaint by the actor’s family and a legal dispute over jurisdiction.

During her tenure with the agency, Ms Prasad supervised key aspects of the investigation, including the examination of witness statements, forensic evidence and medical records.

In 2025, the CBI filed closure reports, saying its investigation found no evidence of foul play, abetment to suicide or criminal conspiracy in the actor’s death.

Career across Delhi Police, CBI

Ms Prasad has served in several positions during her career, including assignments in the Delhi Police, CBI, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal.

Before joining the CBI, she held senior positions in the Delhi Police and became the first Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Shahdara. During her tenure, she worked on establishing the district’s policing framework following its creation.

She also led operations targeting drug networks and illegal gambling activities while focusing on crime-prevention measures.

Later, as DCP of North Delhi, she oversaw security arrangements for major events, including Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort and Delhi University elections.

Community-focused policing initiatives

Beyond investigations, Ms Prasad has been associated with community-focused programmes involving women’s self-defence, youth development, cyber safety and drug de-addiction.

During her CBI tenure, she was also associated with several prominent investigations. Media reports have linked her to cases concerning businessman Vijay Mallya and the AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

Current role in Delhi Police

After completing her assignment with the CBI, Ms Prasad returned to the Delhi Police and took charge as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing.

The latest recognition adds to her career spanning investigations, policing and public service across several challenging assignments.

India News

Kharge, Rahul Gandhi skip Independence Day event for 2nd straight year

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Published

13 hours ago

August 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Independence Day celebrations at the historic venue on Saturday.

The absence of the two senior Congress leaders comes amid strained relations between the ruling party and the Opposition, which further deteriorated during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that concluded on Thursday.

2024 seating controversy

Rahul Gandhi had attended the Independence Day celebrations in 2024 but his seating arrangement triggered a controversy. The Congress leader, who holds the status of a Cabinet minister as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was seated in the second-last row during the ceremony at the Red Fort.

The Opposition had criticised the seating arrangement, calling it an insult to the people. The Defence Ministry, which organised the event, said the arrangement had been modified to accommodate Olympians at the venue.

According to protocol, the Leader of the Opposition is seated in the front row during ceremonial events.

Opposition-ruling party tensions

Relations between the government and the Opposition remained tense during the Monsoon Session, which ended on Thursday.

The session saw repeated clashes between the two sides, with both the Opposition and the ruling party blaming each other for the low productivity of Parliament.

The session began on July 20, with students marching towards Parliament on the first day. Twelve bills were passed during the session, while detailed discussion took place on only one legislation, concerning paper leaks.

The Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, also boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die.

India News

PM Modi’s Saptadhara Vision: 7 streams driving India’s next growth phase

PM Modi outlined “Shakti Ki Saptadhara”, identifying seven streams including manufacturing, farming, technology, defence, green energy and soft power.

Published

13 hours ago

August 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on Saturday, outlined “Shakti Ki Saptadhara”, describing seven key streams that he said can drive India’s next phase of growth and strengthen its journey towards self-reliance and development.

The seven streams identified by the Prime Minister are manufacturing, farming, technology, Gatishakti, Raksha Shakti, green and blue economy, and soft power.

Calling on the country to focus on these areas, PM Modi said the seven streams represent India’s strength and can help the country become more self-reliant.

Manufacturing as the engine of growth

PM Modi called manufacturing the first stream of Saptadhara and stressed the need to significantly strengthen the sector.

He said India needs to produce both components and complete products and should emerge as a key destination in global supply chains.

The Prime Minister highlighted cost, quality and scale as important factors for Indian manufacturers to compete globally. He also stressed the importance of attractive packaging and precision in manufacturing.

Farming and food processing

Agriculture and food processing were identified as the second stream.

PM Modi said global markets are increasingly accessible to Indian farmers and called for greater efforts to take agricultural products from farms to international markets.

He highlighted traditional foods, millets, spices, fruits and vegetables, saying these products should be developed into global brands.

Technology and innovation

Technology and innovation form the third stream of Saptadhara, according to PM Modi.

He highlighted areas such as data centres, robotics and emerging technologies, saying India should aim to become a hub for these sectors.

Referring to the country’s experience with UPI and Digital Public Infrastructure, PM Modi said India has already demonstrated its technological capabilities and must now take the next leap in next-generation communication technology.

He also spoke about the goal of Made-in-India 6G reaching across the country.

Gatishakti and faster connectivity

The fourth stream is Gatishakti, with the Prime Minister stressing the importance of speed and connectivity for India’s growth.

PM Modi called for greater emphasis on roads and expressways to support businesses and said the country needs seamless, high-speed connectivity.

He also highlighted high-speed rail connectivity between cities and port-led development as areas requiring greater focus.

Raksha Shakti and self-reliant defence

Defence is the fifth stream of Saptadhara.

PM Modi called for greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing and highlighted the need to develop advanced technologies in the sector.

He particularly stressed the importance of drone and counter-drone technology, saying India needs to invest in these areas.

The Prime Minister also said India should move beyond being a market for defence equipment and work towards becoming a global supplier by developing next-generation defence technologies.

Green and blue economy

Green energy forms the sixth stream of Saptadhara.

PM Modi called for greater innovation in green energy and said India should aim for global leadership in green hydrogen, renewable energy and energy storage while continuing to contribute solutions to global challenges.

He also highlighted opportunities in the Blue Economy, particularly in fisheries, coastal tourism and ocean technology, saying these areas can create new pathways for India’s growth.

Soft power

Soft power is the seventh stream identified by PM Modi.

He cited Yoga, handicrafts, films, animation, gaming, digital content and the creative sector as examples of India’s soft power.

The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s potential to attract global tourists and called for greater focus on the country’s tourism opportunities, including its national parks and other attractions.

With “Shakti Ki Saptadhara”, PM Modi outlined a broad growth framework covering manufacturing and agriculture, emerging technology, connectivity, defence, sustainable energy, the blue economy and India’s cultural and creative influence.