Ayodhya on alert for Shiv Sena, VHP events, 1 lakh people expected to attend

Uttar Pradesh: Ahead of a Dharam Sabha or religious meeting by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to push for the construction of a Ram temple and a two-day visit by Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, there is heavy security in Ayodhya.

Fearing disruption to law and order during the VHP’s Dharam Sabha the Uttar Pradesh Police has sounded a statewide alert when more than one lakh people are expected to converge in the town.

This is expected to be the largest gathering in the town since 1992, when thousands of Kar Sevaks had removed barricades and destroyed the 16th century Babri Masjid on December 6.

At the disputed Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Majid site hundreds of policemen have been deployed and prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed. A senior officer said devotees are being allowed darshan at the makeshift temple there in small batches.

An ordinance for the construction of a Ram temple has been demanded by the Shiv Sena and claims it has the support of more than 400 members of Parliament cutting across party lines.

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said “The Babri mosque was demolished in 17 minutes, how long does it take to prepare papers to bring an ordinance from the Rashtrapati Bhawan to Uttar Pradesh assembly. They are all BJP governments.”

[source_without_link]Hindustan Times[/source_without_link]