Police will continue to be on high alert
The judgement and after: State and leaders react cautiously
Home Minister R Ashoka on Thursday said the police will take stringent action against those who try to take law into their hands in the wake of court verdict on the Ayodhya dispute.
Speaking to reporters after holding a peace meeting with religious leaders at Vidhana Soudha, he said security has been tightened across the State, including Bangalore. “So far, no untoward incident has been reported from anywhere. Those who take law into their hands will be booked under the Gooda act,”he stated.
The minister stayed in his chamber in Vidhana Soudha till late in the evening on Thursday monitored the situation across the state.
“Police will be alert round the clock even on Friday. Senior officers will continue to keep track of the law and order situation in their jurisdiction”, Ashoka said. Police had been directed to ensure that no group indulge in celebrations. A attempt to burst crackers in Mangalore was thwarted mid-way by the police
Kar sevaks happy
Several BJP legislators, including several ministers in the State Cabinet, had participated in the Ram Janmaboomi movement.
Party sources said that minister Suresh Kumar, Shobha Karandlaje, former minister Aravind Limbavali, legislators C T Ravi and B N Vijayakumar were among those who participated in the movement during 1991-92. The court’s verdict on the Ayodhya title suit by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has come as a mixed bag for the party.
“The ruling that area where Lord Ram's idol exists belongs to Hindus has brought us immense happiness”, Vijayakumar said even as he recalled that he had been in Ayodhya as a kar sevak between November 30 and December 8, 1992.
The ruling to divide the disputed land between Hindu and Muslims has not been appreciated, through senior leaders did not wanted to be quoted on the same for they are part of the government today.
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who has the credit of heading the first BJP government in the South, is hoping that everyone will co-operate in building Ram temple at Ayodhya respecting the sentiment of majority of Indians.
In a statement in Bangalore, the Chief Minister dubbed the judgement as a historic one and hoped that everyone would welcome it with an open mind. The verdict has done justice to followers of all faith.
He said, “We gracefully accept the verdict of the High Court. The decision has confirmed the place where the idol of Lord Sri Ram situated is the actual birth place of Lord Rama. In this situation I fervently appeal to the people to maintain peace, order and harmony”, he said.
Wakf Minister Mumtaz Ali Khan said it is a litmus test for the peace-loving people of the State. “We must prove that we stand by peace and will not get carried away by any provocation,” he said.
