New Delhi:
Who does the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid land belong to? And was theMasjid built over a temple? It's been one of India's most divisive andsensitive disputes, and after a sixty year trial, the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court is scheduled to give its verdict on September 24.
Thatcould change today. The same court will consider a petition that asksfor the verdict to be deferred on the grounds that it will result in abreakdown of law and order. If the court grants it, the verdict could be delayed by six months and bench will be reconstituted as one current judge will retire in October.
(Read: Rethink on Babri judgement?)Thegovernment has been gearing up to prevent the possible law and order problem. Nearly 1.5 lakhpolicemen will patrol the streets. 4000 paramilitary men will supportthem. Districts that have been identified as hyper-sensitive will getspecial protection. The three judges who will deliver the verdict andthe High Court will be covered by a thousand policemen.
Yesterday,the government appealed for "the people of India to ensure that thedelivery of the judgment is seen as part of the judicial process."
(Read: As Ayodhya verdict date nears, parties keep fingers crossed)Informationand Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said, "All must maintainequanimity and tranquility in aftermath of the judgment. No sectionmust provoke another section."
(Watch: Govt appeals for calm)On December 6, 1992, thousands of
kar sevaks,led by BJP and RSS leaders, demolished the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, inwhat they described as their fight to reclaim the birthplace of LordRam. Communal riots followed.
The Prime Minister is said to be monitoring the security preparations ahead of this month's verdict.