6 years ago
Ayodhya:
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and his family arrived in Ayodhya for the Shiv Sena event in support of the Ram Temple. Ayodhya has turned into a fortress with high-security in place ahead of two mega events in support of the Ram Temple. The Shiv Sena and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) are organising separate events in Ayodhya over the next 48 hours. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will offer prayers at the Ram janmabhoomi, participate in the aarti by the Sarayu river and speak to seers, saints and locals. He is carrying a pot full of soil from the Shivneri fort in Pune, which will be handed over to the mahant or priest at the janmabhoomi.
Tomorrow's event, being organised by the VHP, is the bigger of the two events. It is being called "Dharma Sansad". Ahead of the event, the Vishva Hindu Parishad claimed that the event would be "the biggest congregation of saints and supporters of the Ram temple since 1992", when the Babri Masjid was razed. The agenda, they said, is to discuss the way forward for the construction of the Ram temple. The VHP assured that the supporters at the event will be "disciplined people".
Waiting for a court verdict on the issue, the Shiv Sena has demanded that an ordinance be passed by the government in Parliament, in order to speed up the process. The Shiv Sena said on Friday that "Those in power (BJP) should be proud of Shiv Sainiks who had "destroyed Babur's raj in Ram Janmabhoomi". The Babri Masjid was built in Ayodhya on the orders of Mughal emperor Babur and named after him.
Here are the LIVE Updates from Ayodhya:
Uddhav Thackeray performs puja on banks of river Sarayu.
Shiv Sena cadres on bank of Sarayu river in Ayodhya
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray reaches to perform arati on the bank of river Sarayu.
Amid heavy security, Shiv Sena event in Ayodhya is about to begin. Party chief Uddhav Thackeray will offer prayers on the banks of the Sarayu river.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in Ayodhya along with his family. In an address, he says, "We want the date for the construction of Ram Temple today. Tell us, when will you construct the temple."
Massive security arrangements across Ayodhya for the two day event. The Shiv Sena and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) are organising separate Ram Temple events in Ayodhya where multiple layers of security have been put in place along with deployment of drone cameras to keep an eye on the possible mischief mongers.
Let People Of Ayodhya Live In Peace, Says Muslim Litigant
The Muslim litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit, Iqbal Ansari Saturday said he was satisfied with the security arrangements in Ayodhya ahead of the VHP 'Dharam Sabha', but questioned the intention of the leaders in bringing such large crowds to the town.
"If anyone has any issue on the matter of temple-mosque, he/she should go to Delhi and Lucknow to express their views," Mr Ansari who succeeded his father late Hashim Ansari as the main litigant in the case said.
"They can gherao the (Uttar Pradesh) Vidhan Sabha or Parliament if they want but leave the people of Ayodhya in peace," added Mr Ansari as he cast aspersions on the intentions of those encouraging people to gather at the temple town and "posing problems" for the locals.
Uddhav Thackeray Leaves For Lakshman Kila
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has left for Lakshman Kila in Ayodhya. He is on a two-day visit to the Uttar Pradesh town. The Shiv Sena will hold an event in the city tomorrow.
Uddhav Thackeray Will Offer Prayers On The Banks Of Sarayu River
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray arrives in Ayodhya. Mr Thackeray, his wife Rashmi and son Aditya will offer prayers on the banks of the Sarayu river in the evening. Some 3,000 Shiv Sena supporters are coming to Ayodhya in two trains from Maharashtra, people familiar with the matter said.
Uddhav Thackeray's First Visit To Ayodhya
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray reaches Ayodhya today for a two-day visit. Shiv Sena will hold an event in the city tomorrow over the matter of #RamTemple. pic.twitter.com/C8G28fbgNH
- ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 24, 2018
Just In: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and his family have reached Ayodhya. Mr Thackeray will reach the venue of the puja shortly.
Thousands of Sena Men In Ayodhya, Mega Show Around Aarti: 10 PointsShiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is on his way to Ayodhya on a two-day visit to the Uttar Pradesh city where big religious events are lined up, including one organised by Vishva Hindu Parishad. Some 3,000 Shiv Sena supporters are coming to Ayodhya in two trains from Maharashtra, people familiar with the matter said.
Uddhav Thackeray, Family Leave For Ayodhya For Mega Event In Support Of Ram Temple
Uddhav Thackeray and his family took a flight to Faizabad from where they will drive down for an engagement at the Laxman Killa in Ayodhya, and later perform a 'maha-aarti' on the banks of Sarayu river this evening.
Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray accompanied by his wife Rashmi and son Aditya, have left for Ayodhya. The Shiv Sena chief will hold a prayer ceremony and meet saints, seers and locals in Ayodhya. Shiv Sena has been demanding the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Uddhav Thackeray and his family took a flight to Faizabad from where they will drive down for an engagement at the Laxman Killa in Ayodhya, and later perform a 'maha-aarti' on the banks of Sarayu river this evening.
In Advice For BJP, Shiv Sena On Ayodhya, Mayawati's Election Jibe At Them
A Poster Of The Vishva Hindu Parishad's Event 'Dharam Sabha' In Ayodhya
Pics: Supporters Of The Ram Temple Ahead Of The Shiv Sena Event In Ayodhya Today
Heavy Security In Ayodhya Ahead Of Shiv Sena And VHP Events
A Timeline Of The Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid Land Dispute Case
Here is a chronology of events in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case in which the Supreme Court recently declined to refer the issue of reconsideration of its observation that mosque was not integral to Islam, to a larger bench:
1528: Babri Masjid built by Mir Baqi, commander of Mughal invader and emperor Babur. The mosque, which was built on Babur's orders, was also named after him. Hindu groups say it was built after demolishing the Ram temple which used to be there at Lord Ram's birthplace (Ram Janmabhoomi). Ayodhya has been a place of religious importance for Hindus as it is considered the birthplace of Lord Ram.
1859: The British administration put a fence around the site marking separate areas of worship for Hindus and Muslims, and it stood that way for nearly 90 years.
1885: Mahant Raghubir Das files plea in Faizabad district court seeking permission to build a canopy outside the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid structure. Court rejects plea.
1949: Idols of Ram Lalla placed under a central dome at the disputed site.
1950: Gopal Simla Visharad files suit in Faizabad district court for rights to worship the idols of Ram Lalla.
1959: Nirmohi Akhara files suit seeking possession of the site.
1981: UP Sunni Central Waqf Board files suit for possession of the site.
1984: Hindu groups formed a committee to spearhead the construction of a Ram temple.
Feb 1, 1986: Local court orders the government to open the site for Hindu worshipers.
1986: Babri Mosque Action Committee was formed by Muslim groups.
Aug 14, 1989: Allahabad High Court ordered maintenance of status quo in respect of the disputed structure.
1989: Foundations of a temple were laid on land adjacent to the "disputed structure".
Dec 6, 1992: Babri Masjid structure demolished by Kar Sevaks. Ten days after the demolition, the Liberhan Commission was set to investigate the incident.
Apr 3, 1993: 'Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Act' passed for acquisition of land by Centre in the disputed area.
1993: Various writ petitions, including one by Ismail Faruqui, filed at Allahabad HC challenging various aspects of the Act.
Oct 24, 1994: Supreme Court, in the historic Ismail Faruqui case, observed that a mosque was not integral to Islam.
Apr 2002: Allahabad High Court begins hearing on determining who owns the disputed site.
Mar 13, 2003: Supreme Court says, in the Aslam alias Bhure case, no religious activity of any nature be allowed at the acquired land.
Mar 14, 2003: Supreme Court says interim order passed should be operative till disposal of the civil suits in Allahabad High Court to maintain communal harmony.
Sept 2010: High Court, in a 2:1 majority, rules three-way division of disputed area between Ram Lalla, Nirmohi Akhara and Sunni Waqf Board.
May 9, 2011: Supreme Court stays High Court verdict on Ayodhya land dispute.
Feb 26, 2016: BJP's Subramanian Swamy files plea in Supreme Court seeking construction of Ram Temple at the disputed site.
Mar 21, 2017: Then Chief Justice of India JS Khehar suggests out-of-court settlement among rival parties.
Aug 7, 2017: Supreme Court constitutes three-judge bench to hear pleas challenging the verdict of the Allahabad High Court.
Aug 8, 2017: UP Shia Central Waqf Board tells Supreme Court mosque could be built in a Muslim-dominated area at a reasonable distance from the disputed site.
Sept 11, 2017: Supreme Court directs Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court to nominate two additional district judges within ten days as observers to deal with the upkeep of the disputed site.
Nov 20, 2011: UP Shia Central Waqf Board suggests the Supreme Court that a Ram temple can be built in Ayodhya and a mosque can be built in Lucknow.
Dec 1, 2017: Thirty-two civil rights activists file plea challenging the 2010 verdict of the Allahabad High Court.
Feb 8, 2018: Supreme Court starts hearing the civil appeals.
Mar 14, 2018: Supreme Court rejects all interim pleas, including Subramanian Swamy's, seeking to intervene as parties in the case.
Apr 6, 2018: Rajeev Dhavan files plea in Supreme Court to refer the issue of reconsideration of the observations in its 1994 judgement to a larger bench.
Jul 6, 2018: UP government tells Supreme Court some Muslim groups were trying to delay the hearing by seeking reconsideration of an observation in the 1994 verdict.
Jul 20, 2018: Supreme Court says that it reserves the verdict.
Sept 27, 2018: Supreme Court declines to refer the case to a five-judge Constitution bench. Says that the case will be heard by a newly constituted three-judge bench on October 29, which will give the verdict after final hearings.
Oct 29, 2018: Due to "other priorities", Supreme Court pushes the hearing forward to January 2019.
Here is a chronology of events in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case in which the Supreme Court recently declined to refer the issue of reconsideration of its observation that mosque was not integral to Islam, to a larger bench:
1528: Babri Masjid built by Mir Baqi, commander of Mughal invader and emperor Babur. The mosque, which was built on Babur's orders, was also named after him. Hindu groups say it was built after demolishing the Ram temple which used to be there at Lord Ram's birthplace (Ram Janmabhoomi). Ayodhya has been a place of religious importance for Hindus as it is considered the birthplace of Lord Ram.
1859: The British administration put a fence around the site marking separate areas of worship for Hindus and Muslims, and it stood that way for nearly 90 years.
1885: Mahant Raghubir Das files plea in Faizabad district court seeking permission to build a canopy outside the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid structure. Court rejects plea.
1949: Idols of Ram Lalla placed under a central dome at the disputed site.
1950: Gopal Simla Visharad files suit in Faizabad district court for rights to worship the idols of Ram Lalla.
1959: Nirmohi Akhara files suit seeking possession of the site.
1981: UP Sunni Central Waqf Board files suit for possession of the site.
1984: Hindu groups formed a committee to spearhead the construction of a Ram temple.
Feb 1, 1986: Local court orders the government to open the site for Hindu worshipers.
1986: Babri Mosque Action Committee was formed by Muslim groups.
Aug 14, 1989: Allahabad High Court ordered maintenance of status quo in respect of the disputed structure.
1989: Foundations of a temple were laid on land adjacent to the "disputed structure".
Dec 6, 1992: Babri Masjid structure demolished by Kar Sevaks. Ten days after the demolition, the Liberhan Commission was set to investigate the incident.
Apr 3, 1993: 'Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Act' passed for acquisition of land by Centre in the disputed area.
1993: Various writ petitions, including one by Ismail Faruqui, filed at Allahabad HC challenging various aspects of the Act.
Oct 24, 1994: Supreme Court, in the historic Ismail Faruqui case, observed that a mosque was not integral to Islam.
Apr 2002: Allahabad High Court begins hearing on determining who owns the disputed site.
Mar 13, 2003: Supreme Court says, in the Aslam alias Bhure case, no religious activity of any nature be allowed at the acquired land.
Mar 14, 2003: Supreme Court says interim order passed should be operative till disposal of the civil suits in Allahabad High Court to maintain communal harmony.
Sept 2010: High Court, in a 2:1 majority, rules three-way division of disputed area between Ram Lalla, Nirmohi Akhara and Sunni Waqf Board.
May 9, 2011: Supreme Court stays High Court verdict on Ayodhya land dispute.
Feb 26, 2016: BJP's Subramanian Swamy files plea in Supreme Court seeking construction of Ram Temple at the disputed site.
Mar 21, 2017: Then Chief Justice of India JS Khehar suggests out-of-court settlement among rival parties.
Aug 7, 2017: Supreme Court constitutes three-judge bench to hear pleas challenging the verdict of the Allahabad High Court.
Aug 8, 2017: UP Shia Central Waqf Board tells Supreme Court mosque could be built in a Muslim-dominated area at a reasonable distance from the disputed site.
Sept 11, 2017: Supreme Court directs Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court to nominate two additional district judges within ten days as observers to deal with the upkeep of the disputed site.
Nov 20, 2011: UP Shia Central Waqf Board suggests the Supreme Court that a Ram temple can be built in Ayodhya and a mosque can be built in Lucknow.
Dec 1, 2017: Thirty-two civil rights activists file plea challenging the 2010 verdict of the Allahabad High Court.
Feb 8, 2018: Supreme Court starts hearing the civil appeals.
Mar 14, 2018: Supreme Court rejects all interim pleas, including Subramanian Swamy's, seeking to intervene as parties in the case.
Apr 6, 2018: Rajeev Dhavan files plea in Supreme Court to refer the issue of reconsideration of the observations in its 1994 judgement to a larger bench.
Jul 6, 2018: UP government tells Supreme Court some Muslim groups were trying to delay the hearing by seeking reconsideration of an observation in the 1994 verdict.
Jul 20, 2018: Supreme Court says that it reserves the verdict.
Sept 27, 2018: Supreme Court declines to refer the case to a five-judge Constitution bench. Says that the case will be heard by a newly constituted three-judge bench on October 29, which will give the verdict after final hearings.
Oct 29, 2018: Due to "other priorities", Supreme Court pushes the hearing forward to January 2019.
History Of The Ayodhya Issue
Here is a brief history of the Ayodhya issue:
1) The Babri Masjid was built in Ayodhya in 1528 by Mughal invader Babur, and was named after him. Hindu groups say it was built after demolishing the Ram temple which used to be there at Lord Ram's birthplace (Ram Janmabhoomi). Ayodhya has been a place of religious importance for Hindus as it is considered the birthplace of Lord Ram.
2) In 1853, the first recorded communal clashes over the site took place. In 1859, the British administration put a fence around the site marking separate areas of worship for Hindus and Muslims, and it stood that way for nearly 90 years.
3) For the first time, the property dispute went to court in 1949 after idols of Lord Ram were placed put inside the mosque (Babri Masjid).
4) In 1984, Hindu groups formed a committee to spearhead the construction of a Ram temple. Three years later, a district court ordered the gates of the mosque to be opened after almost five decades and allowed Hindus to worship inside the "disputed structure." A Babri Mosque Action Committee was formed by Muslim groups. In 1989, foundations of a temple were laid on land adjacent to the "disputed structure".
5) In 1990, the then BJP president LK Advani took out a cross-country rath yatra to garner support to build a Ram temple at the site. Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) volunteers partially damaged the Babri mosque.
6) On December 6, 1992, the mosque was demolished by Kar Sevaks. This resulted in communal riots across India. Ten days after the demolition, the Liberhan Commission was set to investigate the incident. The Commission submitted its report on June 2009 - naming LK Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and other BJP leaders -- almost 17 years after it began its inquiry.
7) While an investigation was still under way, in September 2003, a court ruled that seven Hindu leaders, including some prominent BJP leaders, should stand trial for inciting the destruction of the Babri Masjid (Mosque).
8) In April 2002, a 3-judge Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court began hearings on determining who owned the site in Ayodhya.
9) In September 2010, the Allahabad High Court pronounced the verdict. The verdict said that the site of Babri mosque is to be divided into three parts, each going to Ram Lalla, Nirmohi Akhara and the Sunni Central Waqf Board of Uttar Pradesh. Both Hindu groups and Muslim groups moved Supreme Court challenging the High Court verdict.
10) In 2011, the Supreme Court stayed the Allahabad High Court order. Since then, the matter, which the Supreme Court is treating purely as a land dispute case, has been pending with the Supreme Court. In October 2018, when the final hearing for the case was to be held, the Supreme Court pushed it ahead for hearing in January 2019.
It has been more than 70 years since the first court case was filed in the Ayodhya dispute. The dispute that has dominated the country's political discourse has seen many twists and turns. The matter has been pending since 2010, when the top court stayed the verdict of the Allahabad High Court. The High Court had said Lord Ram was born under the central dome of the makeshift temple in Ayodhya and Hindus have the right to worship there.
Here is a brief history of the Ayodhya issue:
1) The Babri Masjid was built in Ayodhya in 1528 by Mughal invader Babur, and was named after him. Hindu groups say it was built after demolishing the Ram temple which used to be there at Lord Ram's birthplace (Ram Janmabhoomi). Ayodhya has been a place of religious importance for Hindus as it is considered the birthplace of Lord Ram.
2) In 1853, the first recorded communal clashes over the site took place. In 1859, the British administration put a fence around the site marking separate areas of worship for Hindus and Muslims, and it stood that way for nearly 90 years.
3) For the first time, the property dispute went to court in 1949 after idols of Lord Ram were placed put inside the mosque (Babri Masjid).
4) In 1984, Hindu groups formed a committee to spearhead the construction of a Ram temple. Three years later, a district court ordered the gates of the mosque to be opened after almost five decades and allowed Hindus to worship inside the "disputed structure." A Babri Mosque Action Committee was formed by Muslim groups. In 1989, foundations of a temple were laid on land adjacent to the "disputed structure".
5) In 1990, the then BJP president LK Advani took out a cross-country rath yatra to garner support to build a Ram temple at the site. Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) volunteers partially damaged the Babri mosque.
6) On December 6, 1992, the mosque was demolished by Kar Sevaks. This resulted in communal riots across India. Ten days after the demolition, the Liberhan Commission was set to investigate the incident. The Commission submitted its report on June 2009 - naming LK Advani, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and other BJP leaders -- almost 17 years after it began its inquiry.
7) While an investigation was still under way, in September 2003, a court ruled that seven Hindu leaders, including some prominent BJP leaders, should stand trial for inciting the destruction of the Babri Masjid (Mosque).
8) In April 2002, a 3-judge Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court began hearings on determining who owned the site in Ayodhya.
9) In September 2010, the Allahabad High Court pronounced the verdict. The verdict said that the site of Babri mosque is to be divided into three parts, each going to Ram Lalla, Nirmohi Akhara and the Sunni Central Waqf Board of Uttar Pradesh. Both Hindu groups and Muslim groups moved Supreme Court challenging the High Court verdict.
10) In 2011, the Supreme Court stayed the Allahabad High Court order. Since then, the matter, which the Supreme Court is treating purely as a land dispute case, has been pending with the Supreme Court. In October 2018, when the final hearing for the case was to be held, the Supreme Court pushed it ahead for hearing in January 2019.
11) In its 2017 UP election manifesto, the BJP said it "will explore all possibilities within the purview of the Constitution to construct a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya". The BJP returned to power in UP after 15 years, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked his officials to begin work on implementation of the poll promise.
"Congress Never Opposed Ram Temple, Even Muslims Want It Now": Raj BabbarCongress leader Raj Babbar said on Thursday his party was never opposed to the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and he now felt that even the Muslim community wanted it."
"BJP Committed To Building Ram Temple In Ayodhya": Amit ShahBJP president Amit Shah on Wednesday reiterated that his party was committed to building a Ram temple in Ayodhya and it would not change its stand."
Will Back Ordinance For Ram Temple, Says Muslim Litigant In Ayodhya CaseA Muslim litigant in the Ayodhya dispute said he has no problems if the Ram temple is built by bypassing the Supreme Court and bringing in an ordinance."
Security Arrangements In Ayodhya Today
From top to several mid-level police officers, 160 inspectors, 700 constables, 42 companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), five companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF), Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) commandos and drone cameras have been deployed in Ayodhya. There is a CRPF ring around the disputed site, the government has assured.
Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has urged the Supreme Court to send the army, if necessary, to keep the situation under control.
"The BJP doesn't believe in either the Supreme Court or the Constitution. The party can go to any extent. The kind of environment there is in UP, especially in Ayodhya, the Supreme Court should take notice of it and send the army if necessary," alleged Akhilesh Yadav, chief of the Samajwadi Party.
One such event led to a clash in eastern Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur. "There was a minor dispute during a Ram-Janaki bike yatra by the VHP through minority-populated areas and some tension in Kanpur, but in both the cases, there was no loss of life or major destruction.
But the events have been enough for Muslim litigants in the Ayodhya title suit to ask for security. Our houses were burnt down in 1992 (during the demolition of the Babri Masjid)," said Iqbal Ansari, one of the main litigants in the Ayodhya land dispute case. "If a crowd pours in here, like in 1992, the Muslims of Ayodhya and I should be given protection. If my security is not heightened, I'll leave the city before November 25," he told NDTV's Alok Pandey.
But the VHP claimed that Ram bhakts are always in control. "These are disciplined people, always in control. They only need direction and that will come from our saints. This is a religious programme," said Sharad Sharma, spokesperson of the VHP.
The bigger event in Ayodhya though is a "dharma sansad" being organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Sunday.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad has been mobilising support for its big event through bike rallies and processions across UP in the last few days.
Waiting for a court verdict on the issue, the Shiv Sena has demanded that an ordinance be passed by the government in Parliament, in order to speed up the process.
The Shiv Sena's political presence in Uttar Pradesh is negligible. Sena leader Sanjay Raut, who is in Ayodhya, raised brows when he said, "We demolished the Babri masjid in 17 minutes, how much time does it take to draw up papers? If you talk about an ordinance, then from the President's House Rashtrapati Bhavan to Uttar Pradesh, it is BJP all the way. What else do you want?"
The Shiv Sena's political presence in Uttar Pradesh is negligible. Sena leader Sanjay Raut, who is in Ayodhya, raised brows when he said, "We demolished the Babri masjid in 17 minutes, how much time does it take to draw up papers? If you talk about an ordinance, then from the President's House Rashtrapati Bhavan to Uttar Pradesh, it is BJP all the way. What else do you want?"
First off the block will be the Shiv Sena, whose chief Uddhav Thackeray will be in Ayodhya today for a two-day visit.
Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya is headed for a tense weekend with two major events to push for the construction of Ram temple slated for Sunday.
The Shiv Sena said on Friday that "Those in power (BJP) should be proud of Shiv Sainiks who had "destroyed Babur's raj in Ram Janmabhoomi". The Babri Masjid was built in Ayodhya on the orders of Mughal emperor Babur and named after him.
Waiting for a court verdict on the issue, the Shiv Sena has demanded that an ordinance be passed by the government in Parliament, in order to speed up the process.
The agenda, VHP said, is to discuss the way forward for the construction of the Ram temple. The VHP assured that the supporters at the event will be "disciplined people".
Ahead of the event, the Vishva Hindu Parishad claimed that the event would be "the biggest congregation of saints and supporters of the Ram temple since 1992", when the Babri Masjid was razed.
Tomorrow's event, being organised by the VHP, is the bigger of the two events. It is being called "Dharma Sansad".
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray will offer prayers at the Ram janmabhoomi, participate in the aarti by the Sarayu river and speak to seers, saints and locals. He is carrying a pot full of soil from the Shivneri fort in Pune, which will be handed over to the mahant or priest at the janmabhoomi.
Ayodhya has turned into a fortress with high-security in place ahead of two mega events in support of the Ram Temple. The Shiv Sena and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) are organising separate events in Ayodhya over the next 48 hours.
