AYODHYA: The mood here over the weekend just prior to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, Mr L.K.Adyani’s visit to the town has turned aggressive almost overnight. Mr Advani’s visit here, the first by a senior national leader since November 2, has prompted hopes among people that the guilty will be brought to book.
Hundreds are coming into Ayodhya, many even walking the distance from neighbouring Faizabad. A large number of those who have collected here are volunteers of the BJP and the Bajrang Dal who have made their way in trucks, cars and buses.
Besides, the temple town itself is virtually besieged by people who have been thronging it in their hundreds ever since the October 30 and November 2 event. And then several religious leaders are making preparations to attend the ally.
Police presence within and on the periphery of Ayodhya has been quietly augmented even as district officials maintain that no special arrangements have been made for Mr Advani’s visit, and claim that their brief is only to ensure the BJP president’s safety. “The security setup is almost entirely being manned by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel
Officials who are keeping their fingers crossed were touring the town throughout the day overseeing arrangements. The people’s anger smoldering since the two incidents when several people were killed in firing is more obvious now. They vow to avenge their dead. People in large groups moved about the town on Sunday greeting one another with “Jai Sia Ram” while gangs of Bajrang Dal volunteers fanned out in the city telling people that they should relate to Mr Advani the events of the ‘black days’.
“He is the only one who will do something for us,” they said as they went along. An indication of the current mood was evident from a visit to Bairagpura Mohalla where several kar sevaks were killed in the November 2 firing. The Mohalla now named ‘Rambhakt Balidan Marg’ has been drawing nearly as many people as the Ramjanmabhoomi itself. It has become a regular place of pilgrimage for all who come to Ayodhya.
On Nov 12, the Janmabhoomi too, witnessed one of the largest crowds in the last fortnight. Harassed security personnel had a tough time regulating the crowds, A control room has been set up in th RamjanambhoomiBabri Masjid area from where top city officials monitor activity.
The BJP, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal have, meanwhile, nearly completed arrangements for Mr Advani’s trip which they believe will be a massive show. Every effort is being made to ensure the success of the visit which will ‘include prayers at the RamjanambhoomiBabri Masjid and the nearby shilanayas site, a meeting with the people and a rally on the banks of the Saryu.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 23, 1990
