Even as the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) rejected the Shankaracharya’s formula for finding a solution to the Ayodhya tangle, the Centre continued its efforts to keep the Board in the negotiations.National Commission for Minorities (NCM) chairman Tarlochan Singh met AIMPLB president Maulana Rabey Hasni Nadwi in Lucknow today in what is perceived to be a bid on part of the Vajpayee government to find a solution to the issue.Singh, along with the NCM vice-chairman S.M. Usmani and three members, were closeted with the Maulana for over 45 minutes at the Dar ul-Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, the same place to which the Kanchi Shankaracharya had paid a quiet visit on July 7 to initiate a dialogue between the two communities.NCM is believed to have approached AIMPLB with a fresh initiative to resolve the Ayodhya dispute. This is the first time the Board has been approached on the Ayodhya issue after it rejected the Shankaracharya’s formula.However, for all official purposes, Singh said he had called upon the Maulana to discuss problems related to minorities and to resolve issues that created differences between the two communities.‘‘We have not come here with a specific political agenda, but we will continue our efforts to resolve any issue that generates tension between communities. Much poison has already been spread in the name of religion and we want to restore communal harmony in the country,’’ he said, adding that though Ayodhya did not figure on the Commission’s agenda, he would be ready to take an initiative to resolve the issue. Singh said that though the Commission could not undo damage done by statements issued by fundamentalist bodies, it could make an effort to reduce the ‘‘pain’’ caused by them.The Maulana termed the Commission’s visit as ‘‘routine’’ and said the members of the delegation had underlined the need to increase amity between communities. ‘‘On behalf of the Muslim minorities, I have always participated in efforts to maintain communal harmony and a cordial atmosphere in the country. I have given this assurance to the delegation too,’’ the AIMPLB leader said.The Maulana, apparently averse to allowing any media hype over the Commission’s visit, said the Commission had not approached him with any formula as such on the Ayodhya issue. ‘‘The NCM has been visiting several institutions related to minorities and they have come here too. Please do not make too much out of it,’’ he said. Sources, however, admitted the NCM had conveyed the Centre’s eagerness to resolve the Ayodhya issue before the next LS elections and the AIMPLB’s response had been ‘‘positive’’.
