Sri Sri 'jumped' into Ayodhya clash to shun probe into wealth: MP Vedanti

Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], November 16 (NT): Ex- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ram Vilas Vedanti on Thursday alleged Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had "jumped" into the Ayodhya clash to shun investigation into his illegitimate wealth.

"He (Ravi Shankar) should continue running his NGO and hoarding foreign funds; I believe he has amassed a lot of wealth, and to shun an inquiry, he has jumped into the clash," Vedanti said.

 Sri Sri Ravi Shankar reached in Ayodhya on Thursday, a day after the conference with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

According to reports, Sri Sri had earlier met various stakeholders in the clash; including representatives of Nirmohi Akhara, to aid find an out-of-court settlement to the dispute.

Vedanti is a member of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, one of the prime pretenders in the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid clash, questioned the authority of the Shri Shri in the matter.

 Vedanti insisted, "I went to jail 25-35 times. I was subject to house arrest, faced assault, and bullets. Many workers got ill-treated. Lakhs of Vishwa Hindu Parishad members went to jail.

"In spite of all this, if Sri Sri Ravi Shankar comes here to clutch discussion then on what basis is he coming? No one else has the right, except Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas in this case."

Vedanti also opposed the possibility of structuring both - mosque and temple - at the disputed place.

"I have heard Sri Sri Ravi Shankar wants both mosque and temple to be built there. While I am alive, while every Ram devotee is alive, no one can build a mosque in Ayodhya," Vedanti quoted

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