Ayodhya is different this December

Ten years after the demolition of the 16th century Babri mosque, Ayodhya wears a different look.

"Perhaps this is the result of pressure built up by the local population against the unnecessary restrictions on civil liberties in the past, when one could not even move about freely on the roads," remarked V N Arora, a college professor.

Even though the anniversary of the demolition, December 6, is likely to coincide with Eid-ul-Fitr, officials do not apprehend trouble.

"Of course, we have taken necessary steps for the security of the makeshift temple and nearby areas… in addition to the usual deployments, we have also stationed two companies of the Rapid Action Force," said district magistrate Alok Kumar.

"But there are no restrictions on the movement of vehicles or people in the rest of the town," he added.

On a routine day, around 1500 policemen guard the makeshift temple, which was built at the site of the mosque on the day of the demolition.

"In view of the recent terrorist attacks on temples in other parts of the country, we have stepped up the security in and around the core area of this makeshift temple, where entry of pilgrims will continue to be strictly regulated and closely monitored," said Kumar.

While some attribute the unusual calm to the absence of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders Ashok Singhal and Pravin Togadia, who are busy electioneering in Gujarat, others feel the absence of a call for demonstration by either Hindus or Muslims has helped maintain peace.

"We have not given any call for a protest demonstration or anything of that sort," said Qutubuddin Qadri, the Imam of Faizabad's Tatshah mosque.

"Instead of a demonstration, we will observe a silent protest by covering the minarets of all the local mosques with black cloth," he said.

Haji Mehboob Ahmed, who heads the local unit of the Babri Masjid Action Committee, said, "Muslims of Ayodhya have decided to shun public festivities on Eid in case it falls on December 6. We will, therefore, not embrace each other after the Eid namaz, nor will Muslims throw parties that usually mark the occasion."

In a deviation from the practice of taking out rallies to mark December 6 as Shauryadivas [Victory Day], Hindus, too, have not organised anything grand.

"We will simply hold a Hindu Dharam Raksha Sammellan [Hindu Religion Protection Meet] on December 6 at Karsevakpuram [the local VHP camp]," said VHP leader Rajendra Singh Pankaj.

According to him, "This is going to be a purely local affair... we have not invited participants from outside. So we are not expecting a gathering of more than a thousand sadhus and volunteers."

Mahant Ramchandra Paramhans and Nritya Gopaldas, Ayodhya's two most prominent sadhus, will attend the meeting.

Gopaldas said, "We want peace in Ayodhya, and I am confident that with outsiders keeping away, there will be no trouble."