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Ayodhya Muslims welcome SC verdict but remain apprehensive about March 15

Muslims in and around Ayodhya heaved a sigh of relief after the Supreme Court ruled against any religious activity on the acquired land, but were apprehensive about the VHP's plan to go ahead with its March 15 programme.

An estimated 10,000 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force, the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and the state police have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

While the overwhelming presence of security personnel has instilled some sort of confidence in the minority community, the indifferent attitude of the police during the recent Gujarat riots has also made them uneasy.

In particular, the PAC has a poor reputation and has been indicted by several commissions probing communal riots in the past.

"Our faith in the judiciary has been strengthened with this verdict but VHP leaders like Ashok Singhal, who are moving around freely in Ayodhya, have us worried," said Abdul Karim, a tea stall owner.

He points out that VHP and Bajrang Dal activists had demolished the Babri mosque on December six, 1992 despite the presence of both police and para-military personnel and guarantees given to Parliament and the judiciary about protecting the mosque.

"What is stopping them from creating problems again?" asked Tariq, a taxi driver.

The large presence of mediapersons from the national and international media and events such as the peace march organised by Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande in the past couple of days are a source of immense comfort to the minority community.

Unlike in the past, they are not bothered about 'Ram sewaks' forcibly building a temple on the acquired land. Their fear is that the March 15 programme may lead to communal riots.

The common man on the street, whether Hindu or Muslim, wants peace, says Adil, a local merchant.

"Just like SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) does not represent the average Muslim, we believe organisations like the VHP do not represent the average Hindu," says Ayesha, an inter-college student at Barabanki.

"There is already a makeshift temple in place of the mosque. So, there is nothing to protect. However, they (the VHP) may create a Gujarat-like situation here," says Anwar, an employee in an eatery at Barabanki on the state highway leading to Ayodhya.

The apprehension could be sensed in state capital Lucknow itself, located 130 km away. Muslim cab drivers are reluctant to take passengers, including journalists, to Faizabad.

Most Muslim families prefer to stay indoors watching television and listening to the news. Some have shifted their women and children to other towns as a precautionary measure.

Elders in some Muslim localities alleged that no special police pickets had been set up near minority-inhabited areas.

Some like Mohammed Hashim Ansari, a prominent leader of the All India Babri Masjid Action Committee, allege that the district administration is discriminating against the minority community.

He complained of being denied a vehicle pass despite repeated requests.

PTI

The Ayodhya Issue: Complete Coverage

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