On the 26th anniversary of the demolition of Babri mosque in Ayodhya on Thursday stringent security measures were arranged at the disputed site, with authorities keeping a tight vigil in the wake of rightwing outfits pitching for the construction of a Ram Temple, PTI reported.
Ayodhya, a temple town in Uttar Pradesh, was on edge as the pitch was raised for the construction of the temple.
The disputed land’s issues revolve around access to a site traditionally regarded among Hindus to be the birthplace of the Hindu deity Rama, the history and location of the Babri Mosque at the site, and whether a previous Hindu temple was demolished or modified to create the mosque.
Police on Wednesday arrested four activists of Hindu Samaj Party from Ram Janambhoomi police station area and took into custody eight persons this week, including Mahant of Tapaswi Chawni temple – Paramhans Das, who had threatened to commit self-immolation for the construction of Ram temple on December 6, the report stated.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal are preparing to mark the day as ‘Shaurya Diwas’ (day of bravery) and ‘Vijay Diwas’ (day of victory) and have asked the people to light earthen lamps as on Diwali, while the Muslim outfits have said they will observe ‘Yaum E Gham’ (day of sorrow) and ‘Yaum E Syah’ (black day), the report said.
The ‘Dharam Sabha’ (religious conclave) organised by the VHP on November 25 on the Ram temple issue led authorities to put up such measure in the run up to the day today.
Over 2,500 police personnel, besides Rapid Action Force and paramilitary CRPF personnel, have been deployed as part of ‘multi-layered security’ in Ayodhya including in and around the disputed site and several parts of Hanumangarhi area of the city, officials said, quoted in the report.
“We have heavy security deployment in the twin towns of Faizabad-Ayodhya. The civil police along with CRPF and RAF have been deployed on roads and sensitive localities,” Superintendent of Police, Faizabad (city) Anil Singh,was quoted by PTI, as having said.
“Checking of vehicles, hotels and dharmshala (rest houses) in Ayodhya is being conducted. We have made all necessary security arrangements and have allowed only programmes which are held by both the communities every year,” he said.
“Ayodhya was peaceful during the recently held Dharam Sabha and is absolutely peaceful now,” the Mayor of Ayodhya, Rishikesh Upadhyay, said.
“Adequate security personnel have been deployed to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. Around 20-25 companies of police and Provisional Armed Constabulary (PAC) are permanently stationed at (Ram Janmabhoomi/Babri Mosque) the site and its vicinity,” he said.
The VHP spokesperson in Ayodhya, Sharad Sharma, in the report, said Hindu organisations are likely “to organise a number of religious programmes so that a grand temple of Lord Ram is built”.
“Special prayers for Goddess Saraswati (the goddess of learning) are to be held so that the people, especially politicians do not hinder the construction of a Ram temple, besides hawans seeking to get rid of all obstructions. Tributes will also be paid to the innocent karsewaks who faced bullets and lost their lives,” he said.
Mahant Ramdas of Nirmohi Akhara said, “the day would be celebrated like Diwali and hawans would be held at Karsewakpuram”.
Meanwhile, state president of Indian Union Muslim League said, “We will observe this day as Black Day. Even the Supreme Court has termed the demolition of Babri Masjid as a matter of national shame.”
The Babri Masjid Action Committee has called on the people to observe the day peacefully and hold special prayers for early resolution of the dispute, the report stated.
Afaq Ahmad Khan, Chairman of BMAC, said, “We are waiting for the last 26 years for justice”. He expressed the hope that the mosque will be rebuilt at the site.
The BMAC said it will send memoranda to the Prime Minister and the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister requesting them to ensure status quo at Ayodhya demolition site as per Supreme Court orders.
“The anniversary should be observed peacefully like in previous years,” BMAC convener Zafaryab Jilani said, as per the report.
(With inputs from PTI)
