Little-known division keeps hawk-eye on Ayodhya

The Division, which is a tiny cell in the behemoth that is the Home Ministry, comprises of a joint secretary, a director and six section officers. While the former two are ensconced in sprawling rooms of the North Block, the section officers (read clerks) sit in an obtrusive shed built in the courtyard, which is popularly called the “hutment”. It is in the bowels of this room that the evidence of seven years of state enterprise is most stark: stacks of files are piled over each other and lean dangerously against the walls.

Initially, the Division was deluged with requests from courts to investigating agencies for official records like correspondence between officials at the time of the masjid’s demolition, messages exchanged and the like, but as the official explains helpfully: “That stage is now over. It is eight years now, and whether it is the Allahabad High Court or the Liberhans Commission, they have either tied up proceedings or are in the process of doing so. Now we maintain a progress report on every proceeding relating to the issue. The division has now become an active record keeper.”

It appears that the Ayodhya Division is more keen to please the Supreme Court rather than take an active part in facilitating various investigations undertaken by agencies and commissions (the Liberhans Commission is still conducting hearings). Says an official: “The Centre had acquired a lot of land around the site, and many owners had appealed in courts for compensation. In these instances, it is not the UP Government that the Faizabad Commissioner (the district headquarters of Ayodhya) goes to but he comes to us.”

In fact, the division’s task force interacts directly with the local commissioner of Faizabad who has been appointed commissioner of the division. The Faizabad District Magistrate has also been appointed special officer to the Ayodhya Division.

Ministry officials, however, admit that though they continue to provide information, it is now offered to the accused rather than the accuser. “We also brief those who depose before the commissions of enquiry but our main task is to maintain the security and management of the disputed site,” says the official.

Their task is manifold: ensure that the acquired area is free of encroachment, maintain security and expenses, keep a tab on proceedings in the various courts and commissions, provide answers to questions raised in Parliament, provide helpful information to those deposing before the courts or commission, and the like. It also keeps a keen eye on various rulings on the Ayodhya complex: whether offerings should be made at the makeshift temple or whether temples within the complex should be open to the public — and ensures that the rulings are enforced.

However, it remains to be seen whether the Division, like many other temporary government departments, gets a life of its own and lives on till eternity.