Ready for talks with PM Narendra Modi on Babri Masjid issue: Oldest litigant

The oldest litigant in the Babri Masjid case on Wednesday said he was ready for talks with the Prime Minister for peaceful negotiations in the matter only if he promises that he will ensure punishment to those accused of its demolition.

"I am ready to come to the negotiation table with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but before we start talking on this issue I want Modi to put the trial of Babri Masjid demolition accused on fast track," 92-year-old Hashim Ansari said here, days ahead of the 22nd anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid.

"Special CBI courts in Lucknow and Rai Bareli have been conducting trial of the Babri Masjid demolition accused for the past 22 years. This is clear denial of justice, if Modi promises that he will personally ensure that the accused will be punished within a time frame, then we are ready to talk for the peaceful negotiation of the dispute," he said.

Ansari also attacked Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan for his remarks on the Babri Masjid issue. "What was the need for Azam Khan to bring up the Babri Masjid issue. Till the time Khan is not removed from the ministership, I will not advocate the matter myself and will tell people that Khan is betraying the community," he told a TV channel.

Khan had recently said that the Ayodhya dispute was a "dead issue".