Buzz in Ayodhya: ‘Should have happened earlier, but govt’s move gives hope’

“The decision should be taken quickly and land returned to Hindus… and there will be a revolution across the country and the Supreme Court would be responsible for it,” he added.

Standing next to the rows of carved stones at the workshop at Karyasewak Puram, Satyendra Das, chief priest of the makeshift Ram temple, said the move was delayed but required. “It should have happened earlier. But it is a good move, and has given hope that with this kind of initiative of the government, the Ram temple will soon be constructed,” he told The Indian Express.

“There were at least 16 temples (on the land) that were demolished, but there must still be a Kuber ka tilla, and an old Shiva temple. There was also an old tamarind tree, which had historical significance,” said Das. “But only the Supreme Court’s decision will make things final.”

Sharad Sharma, VHP spokesperson in Ayodhya, claimed there were about 40 rooms inside this 67 acre-area, of which 42 acres were taken on lease for 99 years by Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, but these are also occupied. “The land acquired by the government also included land of some individuals or trusts, but they had taken compensation so they cannot make a claim. As soon as the stay is lifted, work will start on projecting the life of Ram through statues among other proposed structures,” he said.

Sitting under a tin shade with a book of receipts for collecting donations on behalf of Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas was Swadesh Kumar, who shared Tuesday’s news with the pilgrims making donations. “Ram katha kunj, Sanskrit vidayalaya, Gaushala ka sapna sakar hoga,” he said while a pilgrim from Gwalior offered him Rs 101 for a receipt.

Baba Hazari Das, protecting the model of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, was impatient, “Enough of the court and its hearings and applications. I came here 30 years ago for karyasewa from a village in Shahjahanpur. Now is the time for action, youths have forgotten about the struggle. Who will fight for Ram temple then? It’s very late.”

A few kilometres away, litigant Iqbal Ansari, standing outside his house, said, “I have no objection to the government filing such an application. We are not concerned with what they do with this undisputed land. We are concerned about the mosque at the disputed site.”