Shiv Sena releases poster announcing demolition of Gyanvapi Masjid, leader arrested in Varanasi 

Proclaiming that the announcement for the demolition of Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi and the temple construction in Ayodhya, both will be made on November 25, Shiv Sena has released a poster carrying the image of the Ram Mandir model and the image of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi.

The deputy chief of Shiv Sena's UP unit, Ajay Chaube was arrested for releasing the “communal poster” on Monday, November 2. "25 November Ayodhya mein mandir nirman, Kashi mein Gyanvapi dhwast ka ailan," reads the poster.

National spokesperson of the Shiv Sena, Sanjay Raut has distanced the party from the poster, saying he does not know any Chaube. He states that no call was put out for releasing such a poster and he blames the party’s “adversaries”. However those who know Chaube claims that he has been an active member of the Shiv Sena for years.

“Through this poster, we have tried to put Shringar Gauri Gyanvapi mosque agenda into motion. Every year Shiv Saininks try to offer jalabhishek to the restricted site of Hindu deity Shringar Gauri on the premises of Gyanvapi mosque. But, their attempt was foiled by police. It has been in our agenda since the time of Bala Shaheb,” claimed Chaube.

He had recently alleged that 1,500 people will march to Ayodhya on November 24, 2018, to participate in a rally (Chalo Ayodhya) being conducted by Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray on November 25.

A lawyer and secretary of the Islamic Sadbhavana Foundation, Shashank Shekhar Tripathi, also complained to the SSP fearing communal tension in the city fuelled by the poster according to a report in the Times of India.