Babri mosque demolition 26th anniversary: VHP to observe ‘Shaurya Diwas’ in Ayodhya today

Ayodhya: The VHP on Thursday will observe Shaurya Diwas on the anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition. Due to this, hundreds of security personnel have dotted the roads and bylanes and police have made preventive arrests to thwart protests at the disputed site in Ayodhya. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal are preparing to mark the day as 'Shaurya Diwas' (day of bravery) and 'Vijay Diwas' (day of victory) and have asked the people to light earthen lamps as on Diwali, while the Muslim outfits have said they will observe 'Yaum E Gham' (day of sorrow) and 'Yaum E Syah' (black day). Over 2,500 police personnel, besides Rapid Action Force and paramilitary CRPF, have been deployed as part of multi-layered security in Ayodhya including in and around the disputed site and several parts of Hanumangarhi area of the city. Earlier on Wednesday, police arrested four activists of Hindu Samaj Party from Ram Janambhoomi police station area apprehending trouble. So far eight persons were also taken into custody this week, including Mahant of Tapaswi Chawni temple - Paramhans Das, who had threatened to commit self-immolation for the construction of Ram temple on December 6. The VHP spokesperson in Ayodhya, Sharad Sharma, said Hindu organisations are likely "to organise a number of religious programmes so that a grand temple of Lord Ram is built". Mahant Ramdas of Nirmohi Akhara said "the day would be celebrated like Diwali and hawans would be held at Karsewakpuram". Meanwhile, state president of Indian Union Muslim League said, We will observe this day as Black Day. Even the Supreme Court has termed the demolition of Babri Masjid as a matter of national shame". The Babri Masjid Action Committee has called on the people to observe the day peacefully and hold special prayers for early resolution of the dispute. What Is the dispute? The Babri mosque was demolished on December 6, 1992 by 'karsevaks' who had converged as part of a movement by the BJP and Hindu outfits for Ram temple at the disputed site. The Ramjanmbhoomi/Babri masjid title suit is pending in the apex court, which will decide the schedule of hearing in January. Fourteen appeals have been filed in the apex court against a high court judgement, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77 acre land be partitioned equally among three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. After the Supreme Court refused an early hearing, Hindu outfits have demanded that the government bring in an ordinance for construction of Ram temple. (Agency Inputs)