Ayodhya and Faizabad are set for the grand gathering of saffron forces to raise the pitch for construction of a Ram Mandir.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad defied prohibitory orders under Section 144 and held a road show to gather support for their Dharam Sabha on Sunday.The show was led by Bajrang Dal activists, raising slogans of “Ram Lalla hum aaye hain, mandir wahin banayenge“.
There were clear-cut instructions that there should not be any violation of the status quo at the disputed site. The officials have refused to divulge the security details, but the sources said that a large number of additional security officials from the forces have been deputed in the inner and outer cordon of the Ramjanmabhoomi premises.
Faizabad divisional commissioner and receiver of the disputed site, Manoj Mishra, has asserted that only those going for “darshan” will be allowed near the complex.
Many traders in Ayodhya have decided to boycott VHP’s temple show. The Sanyukt Vyapar Mandal of Faizabad said that it will oppose Dharam Sabha on Sunday and will show black flags to Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray. Vyapar mandal president Janardan Pandey said,“They are trying to pollute the peaceful atmosphere of Faizabad and
Ayodhya. People in the two towns fear long stand-offs and troubled days ahead. Both Hindu and Muslim families have started hoarding ration.”
The road show also passed through Muslim-dominated localities of Faizabad under tight security of police force. Ayodhya corporator Haji Asad said that some Muslims have left the area fearing trouble.
“We are now going for a war for Ramjanambhoomi,” said VHP leader Bholendra Singh.
The commissioner assured that the administration was keeping a close vigil on Muslim-dominated areas.