Cautious Karnataka government sets its machinery rolling to face any judgment day fallout

The government has taken elaborate precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents in the light of the Allahabad high court’s verdict in the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi issue.

All educational institutions would remain closed on September 24 and 25, chief minister BS Yeddyurappa announced after chairing an all-party meeting in Bangalore on Wednesday.

“We have already instructed the education department officials to declare two-day holiday for schools and colleges all over the state. It applies to all the educational institutions, both government and private,” the chief minister told reporters.

Yeddyurappa said the decision of the all-party meeting was unanimous, and all members had extended full support to the government in its attempt to maintain law and order in the state.

“We appeal to the people not to believe rumours and take law into their hands. In the state Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and other people are living like friends. All of them are peace loving people. The court can pronounce any kind of judgments, but people should not get agitated. There is an opportunity to file an appeal in the Supreme Court,” he said, while appealing the people to remain calm.

Yeddyurappa said short message service (SMS) by mobile phone service providers would be banned for sometime on Friday, as part of the precautionary measures being taken. The chief minister, however, did not specify the time. The ban would be enforced in a bid to keep rumour-mongers at bay.

The all-party meeting had also decided to ban processions, public functions and rallies on Friday and Saturday. “But this will not be applicable for marriages and death-related ceremonies,” Yeddyurappa clarified.

The chief minister hinted that rumour-mongers would be confronted with an iron fist.

“We will speak to mobile phone operators and also the director-general of police to keep eye on rumour-mongers. We have already taken notice of a few the messages, which we are investigating. We will monitor e-mails also,” he said.

Yeddyurappa added that those who take law into their hands would not be dealt with soft gloves. “If anybody tries to take law into their hands, they will be punished severely according to the law.”

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court is expected to deliver its judgment on the about 60-year-old Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi title dispute on Friday.