AYODHAYA: Amidst chanting of hymns and recital of Ramayna, the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Ram Temple was held here Now 9, under the watchful eyes of hundreds of heavily armed security men after months ‘of tension caused by the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid controversy.

The ceremony, organized by the Hindu fundamentalist Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Ram Janambhoomi Mukti Yagna Samiti, was performed about 100 metres away from the disputed site, permission for which was granted by the Governmentlate in the evening of Nov 8.

VHP leaders, Mahanta Avaidyanath, Mahant Ramchandra Parambans Dass and Mahant Vamdeve began prayers and digging operations amidst frenzied shouting of slogans and chanting of religious hymns by the VHP and Samiti activists and devotees.

Meanwhile at a press conference, Janata, Dal leader V.P. Singh demanded a clarification from the government on the situation in which it gave clearance to VHP’s (Shilanayas’ Ceremony).

He also, charged the government and the Congress party for taking a controversial decision on communal lines for gains at the forthcoming general elections.

Veteren Congressman, Kamlapati Thipathi, who had arrived at Faizabad came to Ayodhya and visited the ceremony site.

After the beginning of the ceremony, Mahant Avaidyanath said that a meeting of religious leaders would begin here Nov 10, to chalk out the action plan for construction of the Temple. “We will not wait indefinitely the High Court order.” He said.

“The beginning of the Shilanyas Ceremony is a powerful expression of the Hindu spent to see Bhafat resurrect here as a Hindu Rashtra”. The VHP leader, Ashok Singhal, told reporters at the site.

Answering queries regarding VHP?’s stand on the coming elections, Singhal said “we will support those who support the Hindu cause,”

On the fate of the disputed Temple-Mosque complex, Singhal said “we will ask the Muslim brothers and help them to honorably shift it from here.”

Meanwhile, a makeshift township has come up at the banks of the Sarvu River here, which is housing hundreds of VHPand Bajtang Dal followers from different parts of the country.

Article extracted from this publication >>  November 17, 1989