Ahead of verdict, Ayodhya to witness heavy rush of pilgrims on Kartik Purnima
Ahead of the Supreme Court verdict in the much-anticipated Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case, lakhs of pilgrims are expected to visit Ayodhya next week on the occasion of Kartik Purnima (November 12).
The top court is likely to deliver its verdict on the Ayodhya issue before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi retires on November 17.
The Uttar Pradesh police is all geared up with a four-layered security plan to ensure calm post the verdict.
“No, devotees will continue to come to Ayodhya to offer prayers at temples,” Faizabad District Magistrate Anuj Kumar Jha told PTI when asked whether devotees would be gradually evacuated ahead of the verdict.
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Lakhs of devotees are expected to gather in the city on November 12 for Kartik Purnima Snan (holy bath).
“Devotees who come to Ayodhya for Purnima Snan stay back for some days in the temple town, so there must be heavy presence of pilgrims in Ayodhya till November 20,” said Mahant Jugal Kishore Sharan Shastri, priest of Saryu Kunj Sita Ram temple.
The district administration has instructed LED van operators to continuously broadcast Ramayana and Mahabharat television serials for devotees in Ayodhya, informed Murli Dhar Singh, Deputy Director, Information (Faizabad).
A five-judge Constitution Bench led by the CJI had reserved its verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case on October 16 after a marathon 40-day hearing.
OP Singh, the Director-General of Police in Uttar Pradesh, said that they are fully prepared to handle any eventualities following the verdict. “We are carrying out foot-patrolling, holding peace committee meetings and have instructed all district superintendents of police (SPs) and magistrates to keep in touch with people and that no one will be allowed to flout the law,” Singh said.
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(With inputs from agencies)
