Ayodhya turns fortress on eve of VHP’s Dharam Sabha, 3 lakh participants expected

A UP police spokesperson said one additional DGP, one DIG, three 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 here.

When contacted, Ayodhya mayor Rishikesh Upadhyay said that adequate security arrangements were made by the police and district administration in the town, located 120 km from Lucknow.

Despite a slight chill in the air, the temple town seems to be reeling under the political heat generated by the ‘Dharam Sabha’, being held to call for the construction of a grand temple for Lord Rama here. A pamphlet released by the VHP 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 organisers claim the more than 3 lakh devotees of Lord Rama were likely to arrive for the programme this Sunday.

In remarks aimed against his ruling BJP ally, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday demanded to know when “exactly” the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya would begin, especially when BJP is in a majority at the Centre and was not bound by any coalition constraints.