Police remain on alert in Bihar post Ram Mandir judgement

Security across Bihar remained tightened, even after the Supreme Court’s ruling on Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. Political leaders of the state hoped the verdict would change India’s electoral politics, with the contentious issue coming to an end.

On Saturday, in a landmark judgment the Supreme Court has noted that the entire 2.77 acre-land belonged to Ram Lalla, while passing an order to allot a five-acre land at a suitable place in Ayodhya for a mosque.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar returned to Patna on Saturday morning, cutting short his three-day visit to other parts of the state for reviewing development projects.

Police forces have been deployed in sensitive parts of the state. In Patna, patrolling has been intensified and vehicles are being checked as a preventive measure. In some places, schools have been closed.

Also read: 40-day long Ayodhya hearing second longest in SC’s history

“We are keeping a close watch on WhatsApp and Facebook posts. Anyone putting up inflammatory posts will face severe action,” Bihar’s chief secretary Deepak Kumar told the media today.

The authorities have divided Patna into three zones—normal, sensitive and highly sensitive, and have deployed adequate security in the areas.

“We are committed to maintain peace at every situation. We are requesting people not to pay heed to rumours,” Patna’s inspector general of police Sanjay Singh told the media today.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar himself appealed for peace and communal harmony. “Everyone should respect the Supreme Court verdict. This will help maintain peace and communal harmony in society. There shouldn’t be further dispute over it. Everyone should accept the verdict. That is my personal appeal to the people of Bihar,” Kumar told newsmen in Patna, soon after the apex court delivered its verdict.

Also read: How the legal battle to acquire 2.77-acre Ayodhya land panned out over the years

Meanwhile, political leaders and social activists have appealed to the people not to make comments on court’s verdict. Significantly, political parties too have shown restraint this time and are explaining how the SC verdict would bring significant change to country’s electoral politics.

“Topics like Ram temple, Article 370 and triple talaq had been dominating elections for long but now with the verdict, focus will be back on development,” remarked Chirag Paswan, newly-elected president of the Lok Janshkti Party (LJP), which is a coalition partner in the ruling NDA government at the Centre.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said the political parties should now talk about schools, colleges and hospitals, instead of only talking about ‘mandir and masjids’ (temples and mosques). He said his party never discriminated between temples and mosques. “All religious places of worship like temples, mosques, churches and gurudwaras belong to us,” he said.

The Congress spokesperson Prem Chandra Mishra too expressed happiness over the judgement, saying Ram temple had become a political issue.