The fear of violence and subsequent disruption of life that may take place following the verdict, ties the city’s common man - Hindu and Muslim — in the common entreaty.
Two days before the verdict on the Ayodhya title suits, the only thing that unites the people here — irrespective of the community they belong to — is a prayer. Prayer for peace after the verdict.
The fear of violence and subsequent disruption of life that may take place following the verdict, ties the city’s common man - Hindu and Muslim — in the common entreaty.
The heat of the apprehension can be felt at Ayodhya’s twin city Faizabad, where residents dread the possible after-effect of the Allahabad high court judgment.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) contingents joining the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel already deployed there has virtually fortified Ayodhya. The heavy thumping of the ammunition boots during the flag-march of the paramilitary forces leaves behind an edgy clam, that is making hearts pray: Peace, at any cost.
“Our life is already not normal. We are ready to bear this tension for a few more days if it helps avoid the post-verdict terror. We know how traumatic life can be when there is violence,” primary teacher Avadesh Chaturvedi says.
The tension has a silver lining though. The people of both the communities are jointly taking some positive steps to prevent violence. Traders of both the communities met on Sunday and held a public meeting at the busy Purani Machli Bazaar appealing to accept the verdict with respect and dignity.
“We are explaining to people that all communities will suffer if there is violence. We hope that good sense prevails irrespective of which party the verdict favours,” Seikh Sahiidul, a local garment shop owner, says.
M Hashim, a member of the Babri Masid Action Committee and plaintiff in the controversial case confirms that people are determined to arrest any kind of post-verdict violence. “Both the committee and the Muslim Personal Law Board have issued appeals so that restraint is maintained even if the verdict is adverse,” Hashim says.
Anil Naniwal, who runs a restaurant, however, doesn’t see any possibility of violence this time. “People are really united this time. These days of tension will be over soon,” Naniwal said.
Meanwhile, notwithstanding their counterclaims, the litigants connected with the Ayodhya title suits have said they want peace in the aftermath of the ruling and accuse vested interests of creating unnecessary hype in the run up to the verdict.
“We are awaiting the judgment and whatever it is, we want peace,” Mahant Bhaskar Das of the Nirmohi Akhara of Ayodhya, one of the litigants of the title suit, says. The option to approach the higher courts is always open, he added.
“I can say for sure that the twin temple towns of Faizabad and Ayodhya would remain peaceful. The flow of pilgrims has trickled down because of the hype and the subsequent security, but both the communities here want peace,” Das said.
Similar is the refrain of 90-year-old Mohammad Hashim Ansari, who had been involved in the case since decades. His ill-health and advanced age will not allow him to travel to Lucknow on the day of the verdict.
Another litigant Trilok Nath Pandey said the hype about the verdict was unnecessary as it would have no effect on the everyday life of common people as none of the parties concerned had stated that the verdict would not be acceptable to them. Zafaryab Jilani of the Sunni Central Wakf Board said maintaining communal harmony was important and there should not be any expression of resentment in public by any of the parties concerned.
—With inputs from PTI
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