Hopes of Ayodhya talks fade

In India, hopes that Hindus and Muslims might resume talks in an effort to resolve their differences over the Ayodhya issue have suffered a setback.

The Muslim, All India Babri Masjid Action Committee has said that negotiations with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad would not serve any purpose.

It said that this was because the VHP was still adamant in its demand that a temple be built on the site of a mosque at Ayodhya, in northern India.

The mosque was destroyed by a Hindu mob eight years ago.

The VHP has not commented on the latest development, but a spokesman for another hardline Hindu group, the Barjang Dal, told the BBC that his organisation and the VHP are always ready to have a dialogue over the Ayodhya question.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service