The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad ABAP (IAST: Akhila Bhāratīya Akhāḍā Pariṣad; lit.
[1][2] The ABAP is composed of 14 akharas, or organisations of Hindu sants and sadhus.
An akhara literally means a wrestling ring in Sanskrit, but also stands for a place of debate.
In 1565, Madhusudana Sarasvati started preparing akharas as an armed military force to resist invasions and protect Hindus.
[2][4] The Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad has encouraged and supported the movement for the construction of a Ram Janmabhumi Temple on the site where the now-demolished Babri Mosque stood in Ayodhya.
The place is believed to be the site of birth of the Hindu deity Rama.
The ABAP welcomed the verdict, asserting that it would prevent further exploitation of the issue by political parties.