Hindu is not the name of any particular community. It is the symbol of culture and nation. Whosoever follows the culture of this country as his own is a Hindu. I call Jains as Jain Hindus, and the Buddhists as Baudh Hindus and the Muslims as Muhammadan Hindus. And I also want to say one thing that in India there is no threat or danger from the Hindus to the Muslims ...

We did not demolish any mosque, but a disputed structure. There was neither a mosque, nor a temple. Some officials of Babur demolished the temple and left merely a structure. And according to our deep faith this was the birthplace of Lord Rama. We have no hobby to demolish mosques. We have neither demolished the 'Jama Masjid' of Delhi, nor the 'Dargah' of Ajmer. A mosque can be constructed at anyplace, and it can be displaced. A number of Masjids have been displaced in Arabian countries. But the birthplace of Rama cannot be changed.

The demolition of Babari mosque ... was not a terrorist activity. Rather, it was the result of running out of our patience. To make the claim of Rama temple at this disputed place, I moved the court when I was 40 years old. Now I am 82. When the court could not decide the case even in 40 years, I withdrew my suit. There is no utility of such laws that cannot understand the feelings of the nation and the people. Such a constitution and the books of law should be burnt at a cross-road.

The BJP was fighting only for getting into power. They are least worried for the construction of Rama temple. Atal Behari Vajpayee expressed his remorse over the demolition of so-called mosque. He called it a national calamity. I am still unable to understand what they have in their minds ... Now, I will not ask any political party or the government for the construction of temple. Nor will I ask any permission from the court for it. The material for temple will be ready in the next three years. When I get the material ready, I will construct the temple with the help of those very hands which demolished the structure. (Source: The Inter Religious Dialogue, December, 1999)