New Delhi, July 06: Even as his statement on Ayodhya raised a storm a day ahead of the Muslim Personal Law Board meeting, Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati today said Hindu groups may not leave their claims on Kashi and Mathura sites. "Chhodega nahi. Zaroor milna hai, teenon bada kshetra hai na (will not leave. Will have to get them because all the three shrines are important enough)," he said when asked whether Hindu leaders would leave their claim on the two sites once the Ayodhya tangle is resolved or try to gain political mileage. Asked whether the Muslim community would give up their claims on Kashi and Mathura shrines, the Kanchi seer said "yes, they will" but categorically ruled out any repetition of the December six, 1992, demolition.
Describing the Babri Masjid demolition as "wrong", he said "this will not happen the next time and the two issues (Kashi and Mathura) will be peacefully resolved through talks". Replying to questions about BJP, VHPand RSS, the Shankaracharya said "there is no leader big enough among Hindus and Muslims to represent the entire community".

"They can say something, but the entire community may not listen to them", the seer said.

Bureau Report