Advani to Open Lav Temple in Pakistan

[Guest guest]

Advani to open temple in Lahore

Advani to Open Luv Temple in Pakistan

Sushant Sareen and Sheela Bhatt in New Delhi | April 01, 2005 14:26

IST

 

 

Former Pakistan prime minister and Muslim League president Chaudhary

Shujaat Hussain has invited Bharatiya Janata Party president Lal

Kishenchand Advani to visit Lahore to inaugurate a temple dedicated

to Lav, the son of Lord Rama.

 

According to legend, Lav founded the city of Lahore, now in Pakistan,

and his temple is located in the Lahore Fort.

 

The temple has remained shut since the time Alauddin Khilji ruled

most of North India, including areas currently in Pakistan.

 

Also see: India, Pakistan launch Track II talks

 

In an exclusive interview to rediff.com, Hussain said the government

of Pakistan is ready to take the step till recently thought

unimaginable.

 

"It is being repeatedly said in Pakistan that Advani was responsible

for the demolition of the Babri Masjid. We have asked Advani to come

and inaugurate a temple dedicated to Luv that is going to be restored

and developed into a model temple," Hussain said.

 

Asked if it was an attempt to bury the ghost of the Babri Masjid,

Hussain said: "This is the only solution to the Babri dispute.

Instead of demolishing temples to avenge the destruction of the Babri

Masjid, it is better to construct a temple and ask Advani to

inaugurate it."

 

On Wednesday Advani told a delegation led by Hussain that he would

visit Pakistan in June and would like to travel to Karachi (where he

was born and spent his youth), Lahore and Islamabad.

 

This will be Advani's first visit to Pakistan since 1978, when he

visited the country in his capacity as minister of information and

broadcasting in the Janata Party government.

 

Advani had then visited his school, St Patrick's, which is also the

alma mater of General Pervez Musharraf, in Karachi. He also visited

his ancestral home.

 

Advani told the delegation that Karachi played an important role in

his life. He spent 20 years in the city.

 

When the Pakistani delegation sought to know his views on the India-

Pakistan dialogue, Advani said: 'There is no option to peace,

cooperation and normal relations. Zamaana badal gaya hai (times have

changed). Who would have imagined that Europe would be re-united one

day?'

http://us.rediff.com/news/2005/apr/01lka.htm