The Supreme Court has on Wednesday started hearing on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case. The court seeks to decide on whether the case may be sent for a "court-monitored mediation to save time". The majority opinion is in favour of mediation.

Justice SA Bobde today said, “We have no control over what happened in the past, who invaded, who was the king, temple or mosque. We know about the present dispute. We are concerned only about resolving the dispute." The SC views the dispute as not one of land but it's "about sentiments, about religion and about faith." SA Bobde further said, "There need not be one mediator but a panel of mediators."

"When the mediation is on, it should not be reported on. It may not be a gag, but no motive should be attributed to anyone when the mediation process is on," he said.

The lawyer appearing for the Muslim parties said, "Muslim petitioners are agreeable to mediation and any compromise or settlement will bind parties."

Some lawyers appearing for the Hindu parties said that mediation is not appropriate.