Eyes on Ayodhya as Hindu outfits plan progs on Babri demolition anniversary

As the crucial 2019 Lok Sabha elections near, the temple town of Ayodhya has become the cynosure of all eyes with the December 6 Babri Masjid demolition anniversary likely to act as a political potboiler.

Days after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) organised 'Dharam Sabha' in Ayodhya to seek support for construction of a grand Ram temple, the ring-wing outfit will observe 'Shaurya Diwas' on December 6 to be followed by Gita Jayanti celebrations on December 18.

Gita Jayanti marks the advent of Bhagavad Gita, the sacred text of Hindus.


"Shaurya Diwas (which marks the demolition of Babri Masjid) will be traditionally celebrated. In Ayodhya, VHP along with various Hindu organisations are likely to hold a number of religious programme, including 'hawan', so that a grand temple of Lord Ram is built in Ayodhya," VHP spokesperson in Ayodhya, Sharad Sharma told media.

2018 marks the completion of 26 years of demolition of Babri Masjid.

"Special prayers will be offered to Goddess Saraswati so that she can help the people, especially politicians, in removing any obstruction in the path of construction of Ram temple," Sharma said.

"Sarva baadha mukti hawans (hawans seeking to get rid of all obstructions) will be held. Tributes will also be paid to the 'karsewaks' who faced the bullets," he said.

Elaborating further, the VHP leader said similar Dharam Sabha was scheduled to be held in Delhi on December 9 in which over 5 lakh people are likely to participate.

"On January 31 and February 1, we are going to organise 'Dharam Sansad' in Prayagraj in which more than 5,000 seers from across the country will participate. Seers from southern states and north-eastern states will be specially invited," the VHP spokesperson said.

Dharam Sansad will deliberate upon Ram temple, cow protection and River Ganga, he said.