With over 1 lakh Hindu extremists reaching Ayodhya, Muslims flee city as pitch for Ram Mandir raises

With up to 1,00,000 Hindu extremists set to descend on the Indian city of Ayodhya on Sunday, some Muslim families are preparing to skip town rather than risk the potential for communal violence.

With demands of calling in the army, former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has raised concerns over the two big Ram temple themed events organised by the Shiv Sena and the right wing group Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Ayodhya.

“I don’t think there is any need for the deployment of Army in Uttar Pradesh as there is enough law and order machinery available there. And I am sure that the BJP government, unlike other parties, will ensure that law and order is maintained,” the Minister of State for External Affairs, VK Singh, told news agency ANI.

Ayodhya, a temple town in Uttar Pradesh, is on edge as the pitch is raised for the construction of the Ram temple.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad is holding a “dharma sansad” to discuss the way forward for the construction of the Ram temple. The VHP has been mobilising support for its big event through bike rallies and processions across UP in the last few days.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, who is on a two-day visit to the state, said a Ram temple will be built in Ayodhya whether or not the present government at the Centre stays in power.

“I have no hidden agenda in coming to Ayodhya. I’ve come here to express the sentiments of all Indians and Hindus across the world. They are all waiting for the Ram Mandir to be built,” he said.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader, Champat Rai has said that they will not allow Namaz on ‘grabbed land’. “This land was taken by force. No one should test our patience,” he has said.

“We do not want division of land. We want the entire land. Government of India should fulfil its commitment,” he added.