Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati on Tuesday dismissed the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's deadline for handing over the undisputed land to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas before the dharam sansad meeting on February 22.

He also hoped that the Supreme Court verdict on the Centre's plea to lift the stay on the undisputed land would pave the way for resolving the Ayodhya dispute.

"The VHP has no right to... call for any direct action," he said in Hyderabad.

He said VHP was supposed to promote Hindu dharma. "Ours is a body that also has representatives from the Muslim community. We believe in justice. As a religious man, I am doing my duty."

Asked if he agreed with the stand taken by the Muslim Personal Law Board, he said its agenda was only to resolve the individual disputes of the Muslims as per Islamic law. "It has no perspective or locus standi to deliberate on general issues like the present one."

He said he was not going to Delhi or participating in the dharam sansad. He also did not have plans to meet Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "My job will not be complete till I bring Muslims and Hindus closer to resolve the contentious issue," he said.

The Shankaracharya denied that the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham was getting involved in political issues. "Ayodhya is a religious issue and not a political one. It should be resolved amicably but the legal hurdles need to be cleared first."

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 6 Sub: 'VHP has no say in Ayodhya issue' The fight for supremacy between the shankacharya and the VHP displays all that is wrong with Hindu if it can so properly be described. A ... Posted by khandu patel Sub: Ayodhya Issue If Muslims are so Pious and Country loving, let the show their love for India Motherland by agreeing to allow Hindus build Ram Temple at ... Posted by Prem C. Aggarwal Sub: So who's Kanchi Seer afterall? Should the Hindus now follow a religious leader or a politician? Will it be adharma following if one follows BJP? More questions than answers. Why ... Posted by Jako Rakhe Saanyan Sub: Ayodhaya It is sad situation that 40% of the population is poor and they shall increase with the wrong policies of government lead by BJP and ... Posted by kapoor Sub: RE:Ayodhya Issue ya , it is the only time for the muslims to show their patriosm.but i fear that it won't happen as muslisms are not alone. ... Posted by puneet