A week ahead of the Ram Temple consecration ceremony, Muslims in Ayodhya are demanding increased protection in their neighbourhoods. In a letter signed by community leaders, activists and imams from Muslim majority neighbourhoods, residents have requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ayodhya, Praveen Kumar, to increase security in areas which witnessed communal violence on 6 December 1992 in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition.
“Hindus and Muslims have always lived in peace in Ayodhya. However, previously, outsiders have come and disturbed the peace of this city,” says Ayodhya resident and Ramkot ward's mukhiya Akhtar Ali who lives in the vicinity of the Ram Mandir area. another resident Mohd Irfan, who is a witness to the 1992 violence which engulfed his house over three decades ago, says that many Muslim families in the area are nervous about the hordes of outsiders expected in Ayodhya on January 22 when the Ram Temple will be consecrated.
Uttar Pradesh Police as well as the Yogi Adityanath government has in the meantime assured that all measures to ensure safety on the day have been taken. Addressing the media on January 13, Praveen Kumar said that police are taking all measures necessary to ensure safety. CCTV cameras have been installed everywhere and the IG said that the force is also making use of “AI technology”. A special task force of the UP Police will provide a comprehensive security cover to the upcoming Ram temple complex in Ayodhya, as per senior government functionaries.
Last week, the Central Industrial Security Force took charge of security at the newly inaugurated Ayodhya airport with the deployment of more than 150 personnel.
Activist Aazam Qadri however feels that security needs to be tightened inside the residential quarters as well. Qadri, President of the Sunni Central Waqf Board, Area Sub-committee, states that people are scared and in need of assurance. “While authorities are ensuring the safety of tourists and devotees, those who have experienced communal violence in the past are scared of any untoward incidents.
The residents have requested the IG to conduct peace committee meetings with members of both Hindu and Muslim communities, block-level officers and police. Residents have also requested additional security in “sensitive” neighbourhoods like Verma Colony, Tedhi Bazar, Baheliya Tola, Kajiyana, Paji Tola, Dharam Kanta, Gola Chauraha, Saiyad Wada, Gadiwan Tola, Begumpura, Mohalla Katra, Kothi Ghat, Durahi Kuan, Meera Pur Bland Gadiyana, Suthati, Mughalpura, Machuana, Kutiya, Raiganj Gadiyana, Jaisinghpur. They have also sought security in neighbourhoods lying behind the Ayodhya Police Station and beside the “Tin Wali Masjid”, AC Masjid and the Asharfi Bhawan water tank. All of these neighbourhoods have seen rioting in 1992.
Over 10,000 VVIPs are expected to attend the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22. Anticipating a crowd, the state government has issued directions to only allow individuals invited by the Shri Ram Janm Bhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to enter Ayodhya between January 20 and January 22. Locals told Outlook that since the last week, houses in neighbourhoods of Ayodhya are being searched for arms or illegal items.
BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been asking people to not throng to Ayodhya and instead, light diyas at home and watch the consecration ceremony on their television.
Meanwhile, Muslims of Ayodhya say that they welcome the Ram temple. “We respect the court’s decision. But we are scared of outsiders,” says Akhtar Ali. “We request Yogi Adityanath to ensure safety for all residents of Ayodhya, including Muslims”.
