Ayodhya quiet on Babri eve

The 2.77-acre disputed site is heavily barbed and strict vigil is maintained to avoid any eventuality. The local administration had denied all parties, except the VHP, permission to mark the day. The Shiv Sena, a local outfit — not the one headed by Bal Thackeray — sought permission to take out a protest march, while the local SamajwadiParty unit wanted to mourn the day but both were denied permission.

“No tradition will be allowed to begin. The VHP is holding the function since the demolition of the mosque and thus, we gave them permission, but they too have been asked not to come out of the headquarters at the Kar Sewak Puram,” Senior Superintendent of Police Anil Agarwal pointed out.Bajrag Dal leader and former member of Parliament Vinay Katiyar maintains that “the temple construction would start the moment the stones which are being carved out is completed,”. The process, he says, may take three years, “but construction of a Ram Temple at Ayodhya is our commitment and also the manifestation of religious sentiments of Hindus all over the world.” He said the Bajrang Dal was observing the day as Vijay Diwas (Victory Day).

While the VHP is doing its best to keep the temple issue alive, with the passage of time, people appeared to have realised the issue was more political in nature than reflective of a real concern by proponentsof Hindutva to construct the temple. Consequently, the euphoria over the issue has evaporated.

Thousands held in TN

CHENNAI: About 7,500 people have so far been taken into preventive custody all over Tamil Nadu as part of the unprecedented security arrangements made by the state police on the eve of the sixth anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid.