Babri Masjid demolition anniversary low-key in Ayodhya-Faizabad

Lucknow: The 19th anniversary of the demolition of 16th century Babri Mosque on Tuesday passed off on a low-key note in the temple town of Ayodhya and the neighbouring Faizabad town of Uttar Pradesh.

Reports reaching here from Ayodhya and Faizabad said that the day passed off peacefully without any event.

Even as Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) observed a low-key "Shaurya Diwas" (valour day) reiterating their vow to build a grand Ram temple at the site of the makeshift temple in Ayodhya, the Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) sought to propagate a message of communal amity.

Holding a "condolence meet" to mourn the demolition of the Babri Mosque, BMAC convener Zafaryab Jilani told a small gathering in Faizabad: "I am convinced that the demolition act was committed by outsiders and local people of Ayodhya-Faizabad had no role in the condemnable act."

Swearing to abide by the order of the Supreme Court where the land dispute case is now pending, he said: "We have full faith in the judicial process and we would accept the final verdict of the highest court of the land."

Jilani went on to emphasise that there can be no better example of communal harmony than this town, where Hindus and Muslims have been living amicably without any tension even after 1992.

On the contrary, while addressing their own gathering at the Karsewakpuram in Ayodhya, Ramjanmabhoomi Trust chief Mahant Nritya Gopal Das said: "We are committed to building a grand Ram temple in place of the makeshift temple."

Security had already been intensified throughout the state in the wake of the tenth day of Moharram that coincided with the anniversary and special vigil was maintained in and around Ayodhya.

According to Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Subesh Kumar Singh, "Directives were issued to enhance security in and around all major installations and important public places including markets, railways and bus stations".

"We also kept a vigil over the guest list of hotels and guest houses as also were keeping an eye on vehicles crossing into Uttar Pradesh from multiple entry points along the Indo-Nepal border," he added.

In view of intelligence reports, security was enhanced in and around all such prisons where suspected terrorists have been lodged.
 

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