Uneasy calm prevails over Ayodhya ahead of title suit verdict

As one walks down the lanes and narrow bylanes of Ayodhya, the satellite town of Faizabad and the focal point of the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Mosque dispute, one feels an uneasy calm.

With the date of verdict on the Ayodhya title suit drawing near, the local residents, though involved in their daily chores are apprehensive, which reflects in the eerie silence prevailing in the city.

"Actually all the news being published and aired on the channels relating to security arrangements and possible fall out of the verdict has made people more apprehensive here," Dinesh Chandra Mishra, owner of a cyber cafe near Ram Janaki Trust in Chotti Chavani says.

Deployment of additional force including the Central Reserved Police Force in and around Ayodhya has created more hype affecting the locals to an extent, he said.

To an extent the statement stands true - security of the disputed site, which was till now being manned by the CISF, has additional guards in the form of a CRPF contingent.

The central forces had also staged a flag march in the Ayodhya.

"Though the visitors may not sense or realise, but our lives have got disturbed to an extent. Number of visitors has gone down drastically as the D days near affecting the local business to an extent," Aakash Gupta, who runs a small hotel opposite Hanuman Garhi, said.

"I haven't sold even a single item in the last three days which is otherwise uncommon as this is the peak religious season," says Shaym Prasad, who own a temporary shop selling religious artefacts on the lane leading towards a makeshift temple of Lord Ram at the disputed site.

The apprehension could also be gauged from discussions between the locals, which more or less revolve around developments relating to the title suit.

"A third party had moved an application in the court. This is like a third person talking about a compromise between two persons without being a party to the dispute," a man explained to his colleagues while sipping tea at a roadside stall.

"What we really want is peace. With all that the people here have seen in the last 20 years is more than enough. Nobody wants the repeat of 1990 and 1992," said Sadiq Ali, who runs a tailoring shop in Shringar Haat area.

And amidst all the speculation and security arrangements, people in Ayodhya are praying for peace and unity.

"Whatever the verdict is, it should be honoured and an atmosphere of peace and harmony must be maintained," says local Raj Kishore Maurya.

"Irrespective of the fact that verdict goes in favour or against a party, people should take the decision as supreme to strengthen the unity, integrity, brotherhood and democracy," Mahant of Saryu Kunj Ram Janaki Mandir Jugal Kishore Sharan Shastri said.

One of the plaintiff in the case Mohammad Hashim said that they would respect the decision of the court.

"Muslim Personal Law Board and Babri Masjid Action Committee have decided to appeal to the Muslim community not react if the decision is adverse. We will move to Supreme Court, if needed," he said.

In an effort to maintain harmony, traders of both the communities held a joint meeting at Purani Machhali Bazar yesterday and pledged to honour the court's verdict and maintain brotherhood.