Indian Muslims are today considering a compromise formula offered by a hardline Hindu group to resolve a long-standing row over a disputed religious site in the northern town of Ayodhya.
"We have not accepted the proposals, neither have we rejected them," Mr SQR Ilyas, a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, said.
Hindus and Muslims claim the site where Hindu zealots pulled down the 16th century Babri mosque in 1992, claiming it had been built over a temple to the Hindu warrior god Ram.
The radical Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP - World Hindu Council) has been spearheading a campaign to build a temple over the mosque ruins beginning March 15th - in defiance of court orders.
However, the VHP said it would agree to allow the courts to rule on the ownership of the site, but demanded that the government hand over a plot adjacent to the mosque ruins where it could go ahead with its temple construction from June 2nd.
"We will hold wide-ranging consultations on March 10, where we will discuss this with our fellow Muslims and then announce our decision," Mr Ilyas said.
"We cannot trust the VHP as they have violated our trust and the promises they have given in the past," he added.
AFP