Dharam Sabha, Nov 25: Ayodhya gears up for another tryst

Twenty-five years after the demolition of the Babri mosque, the Sangh Parivar has again put the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on the forefront in an effort to revive the movement for a Ram temple at Ayodhya. An uneasy calm prevails in the temple town as VHP flexes its muscles and vocal cords to send out the message that the ‘Parivar’ is still serious about the Ram Temple, that it alone seeks to unite the ‘divided’ Hindus.

Here is an attempt to answer some of the most frequently asked questions:

What is expected at Ayodhya on November 25?

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad is holding a ‘Dharma Sabha’ to which it claims to have invited ‘Ram Bhakts’ from 22 districts of UP to participate. It has also invited rabble rousers like Sadhvi Ritambhara of the Babri Masjid defamation fame to address the congregation among others. Organisers claim the gathering would be attended by 100,000 people but that could well be an exaggeration.

Will the congregation start ‘token’ construction of the temple?

In private conversations, VHP sources maintain that while no attempt will be made to do anything on the 2.77 acres of ‘disputed land’, they would not rule out construction on the remaining 60 odd acres acquired by the Government after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992. The structure of the temple, made in stones and pre-fabricated on wedges, they claim is already there in the workshop and can be transported to the site at short notice. “We have waited long enough. Our patience is running out,” says Sharad Sharma of VHP.

Will that not amount to contempt of court?

While VHP and RSS supporters claim they could not care less if a token construction is deemed to be contempt of court, BJP is steering clear of the controversy. The radical fringe seems in favour of some token action to send out a political message on the eve of the General election while other sections are advising caution.

Is violence expected on Sunday?

Provocative slogans and posters indicate an attempt to incite. But till now the state police has been quick to remove such posters, arrest suspects and the state government has increased deployment. State Government officials believe the congregation is meant to ‘bark’ rather than ‘bite’.

What has been the mobilisation like this time?

Reminiscent of pre-1992 days following Shila-Pujan, women are offering ‘Sandhya Aarti’ in Ayodhya and adjoining districts. Volunteers have been recruited. Bhajan-Kirtan and Ram Kah are being held. Posters have been put up. Prayers are being held in temples and in villages meetings are being held to apprise people of the ‘Ram Janmabhoomi’ movement, what happened during and after the demolition of the mosque in 1992 and the wait thereafter. Bajrang Dal, the militant arm of the VHP, is much in evidence.

The Muslim plaintiff in Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case Iqbal Ansari told NH that he had requested for additional steps to protect Muslims of this region.

“People of Ayodhya will not hurt Muslims. I know that. But as people from other parts of the state are also coming, we cannot take chances. Therefore, I have written to Uttar Pradesh Government to provide security to Muslims,” he said.

Faisal Rehman Siddiqui, a tea vendor, is however hoping to do brisk business. “We are expecting a big crowd but not rowdy elements who will resort to violence,” he said.

“We have not been asked to close our shops on November 25. If the administration allows us to open the outlets, I expect good business,” he added hopefully.