A day before the Dharam Sabha called by the VHP for construction of a Ram temple on Sunday, Ayodhya was virtually turned into fortress with multiple layers of security and deployment of drones to keep an eye on possible mischief-makers. The Shiv Sena is also organising an event on Sunday to push for early construction of the Ram temple.
A Uttar Pradesh Police spokesperson said one additional DGP, one deputy inspector general (DIG), three senior superintendents of police (SSPs), 10 additional SPs, 21 deputy SPs, 160 inspectors, 700 constables, 42 companies of PAC, five companies of RAF, ATS commandos and drones were deployed in Ayodhya.
When contacted, Ayodhya Mayor Rishikesh Upadhyay told PTI that adequate security arrangements were made by the police and district administration in the town, located 120km from state capital Lucknow.
"As many as 13 parking slots have been provided for the event. No permission was given to the Shiv Sena by the government to hold a rally," the mayor said.
Despite a slight chill in the air, the temple town seemed to be reeling under the political heat generated by the VHP's 'Dharam Sabha', being held to call for the construction of a grand temple for Lord Ram in Ayodhya.
A pamphlet recently released by the VHP raises the pitch for its construction. It reads Saugandh Ram ki khaate hai, hum mandir bhavya banayenge (We pledge in the name of Lord Ram that we will build a grand temple for him) and urges devotees to be a part of the movement.
The VHP was founded on August 29, 1964 on Shri Krishna Janmasthami. Its objective is to organise and consolidate Hindu society and serve and protect Hindu Dharma.
The organisers of the Dharam Sabha claim the more than 3 lakh devotees of Lord Ram were likely to arrive for the programme this Sunday.
VHP media in-charge Ambuj Ojha said, "After staying in a taat (tent), Lord Ram is expecting a revival of bravado among his devotees. The moment has come. The temple must be built where Ram Lalla is currently seated. Also, there should not be any mosque in the cultural boundary of Ayodhya."
On November 18, the VHP had organised a motorcycle rally in different parts of Lucknow in this regard.
Praant Sangathan mantra (Awadh) of VHP Bholendra, in a written statement, said this was the final Dharam Sabha for construction of a Ram temple. "After this, no more Dharam Sabhas will be held and the construction of the temple will commence," he said.
'Political tactic to hide from failures'
Meanwhile, BSP chief Mayawati on Saturday slammed the BJP and the Shiv Sena for raking up the Ram temple issue ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, alleging it to be a "political tactic" to divert attention from their failures.
She said since the matter is before the Supreme Court, parties and outfits must await the outcome and not rake up the Ram temple issue in such a way.
"To divert attention from their failures, they raised Ram Mandir issue. Had their intentions been good they needn't have waited for five years. It's their political tactic, nothing else. Whatever their associates like Shiv Sena and VHP are doing is part of their conspiracy," Mayawati said in a statement read out before the media.
Mayawati also urged party cadre to stay away from organisations such as the Bhim Army, which were allegedly using her and the BSP's name to gather people at their rallies and seek donations.
Without taking the name of Chandrashekhar Azad's outfit, Mayawati said such organisations may play in the hands of opposition parties during the elections. She alleged that such outfits were trying to pit people from different castes against each other, which will only lead to violence and polarisation of society.