Ayodhya: Dharma Sabha ends but VHP vows to keep up demand for Ram temple

The organisers of 'Dharma Sabha' had claimed that nearly 3 lakh ‘devotees’ will attend the event on Sunday.

AYODHYA: The temple town of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh has been turned into a virtual fortress ahead of RSS-affiliated right-wing outfit Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s massive 'Dharma Sabha' on Sunday to push for a grand Ram Temple at the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site. The 'Dharma Sabha' will be held at Bade Bhakt Mal Ki Baghia, around 300 metres from the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas workshop.

The organisers of 'Dharma Sabha' had claimed that nearly 3 lakh ‘devotees’ will attend the event, which has triggered some apprehension over the safety of the Muslim community in the temple town.

Ahead of VHP's Dharma Sabha, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will visit the Ram temple site in Ayodhya. This is Thackeray’s first visit to Ayodhya. He and his family members along with top Shiv Sena leaders had been camping here for the last few days.

The Shiv Sena chief is also reported to have brought a pot full of soil from the Shivneri fort in Pune, which will be handed over to the priest at the 'Ram Janmabhoomi' when he meets him later.

His visit to the disputed site comes a day after he launched a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre over the delay in promulgating an ordinance for the construction of Ram Temple.

Thackeray on Saturday asked the Narendra Modi government to wake up from a 'Kumbhakarna-like slumber' and declare the date for its construction.

The temple town has been turned into a virtual fortress with multiple layers of security and deployment of drones as people in large numbers of arriving here to participate in VHP's `Dharma Sabha' here.

Samajwadi Party and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said the Army should be deployed in Ayodhya, if needed, to maintain law and order.

In a statement from Lucknow, ADG (Law and order) Anand Kumar said Ayodhya city has been divided into nine zones and 17 sectors to draft the security plan. Over 70,000 security personnel have been deployed across the temple town for the proposed ‘show of strength’ in which three lakh people ( more than what was witnessed in 1992) including seers are expected to participate. To maintain law and order in the town, the UP government has also deployed anti-terror squads, special police and paramilitary personnel, including Rapid Action Force (RAF) cameras to monitor the crowd in real time.

Schools and colleges have also been closed in the entire Ayodhya district as a preventive measure.   

Here are the highlights from Ayodhya:

25 November 2018

14:52 IST

The case is in the SC, we should either wait for orders or find consensus. Govt has a lot of lands, it (Ram temple) could be constructed across the Sarayu river. There should be no talks of the temple on a disputed land: Shivpal Yadav, Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party Lohia

13:41 IST

Ayodhya has been divided into zones. Security scheme has been implemented. Red zone and yellow zone are two main security zones. State govt, state police and administration are committed to uphold the directions by the Supreme Court and High Court: ADG (law and order) Anand Kumar

13:40 IST

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat will address VHP's 'hunkar rally' in Nagpur over the matter of RamTemple later on Sunday.

10:54 IST

Saints who blessed me yesterday, I'd told them that the work which we're about to begin can't be done without their blessings. I've no hidden agenda in coming to Ayodhya. I've come to express sentiments of all Indians and Hindus across the world. All are waiting for Ram Temple: Uddhav Thackeray

09:51 IST

Uddhav Thackeray returns to the hotel after visiting the Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya.

Ayodhya: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray returns to the hotel after visiting the Ram Lalla temple earlier today. pic.twitter.com/Py0I4yPdKd

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 25, 2018

09:33 IST

We've made all the arrangements for the programme (VHP's dharma sansad). We've allotted spaces for parking, bypass is running smoothly and we'll ensure it stays like that. 'Darshan' will be from the usual routes. We'll do everything in an organised way: DIG Ayodhya, Omkar Singh

09:33 IST

Security has been tightened in Ayodhya ahead of the separate events of Shiv Sena and VHP being organised in the city today over the matter of #RamTemple.

09:21 IST

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has reportedly left for the disputed site for a 'darshan' of Ram Lalla. He will meet the priest at the 'Ram Janmabhoomi' and handover the chief priest at the 'Ram Janmabhoomi a pot full of soil from the Shivneri fort in Pune to him.

09:20 IST

On Saturday, Uddhav Thackeray had dared the Narendra Modi government to declare a date for the construction of the temple, saying it was time for the government to “wake up from a Kumbhakarna-like sleep”.

09:19 IST

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to go for a darshan of Ram Lalla at 9 AM. He will speak to the media at 11 AM and address a public gathering at 12 PM.

09:10 IST

Here are some visuals from Ayodhya where security has been tightened ahead of the separate events of Shiv Sena and VHP over the Ram Temple issue.

Visuals from Ayodhya. VHP and Shiv Sena are organising separate events in the city today over the matter of #RamTemple. pic.twitter.com/kKKFBhaTR0

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 25, 2018

09:09 IST

The VHP and Shiv Sena are organising separate events in the Ayodhya city today over the Ram Temple issue.

Visuals from Ayodhya. VHP and Shiv Sena are organising separate events in the city today over the matter of #RamTemple. pic.twitter.com/kKKFBhaTR0

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 25, 2018