The 26th anniversary of Babri Masjid demolition on Thursday passed off peacefully in Ayodhya and elsewhere in Uttar Pradesh with no reports of any untoward incident from anywhere in the state.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which celebrated the day as 'Shaurya Diwas' (bravery day), organised a programme at its headquarters in the temple town, where seers from Ayodhya vowed to construct Ram temple.

Saffron outfits took out processions in other parts of the state in support of their demand for temple construction.

Muslim outfits observed a 'black day' to register their protest against the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, by 'Karsevaks'.

Speaking at the VHP programme prominent Hindu seer Mahant Suresh Das said that the date of construction of the Ram temple would be decided at the 'dharm sansad' in the 'Kumbh' in Prayagraj (Allahabad) next month.

''We have been assured that the government will clear all hurdles in the way of the Ram temple construction,'' the Mahant said claiming that he was in ''constant touch'' with the senior leaders of the BJP on the issue of Ram temple.

Mosque demand

Babri Masjid Action Committee convener Mohammed Afaq said that he would be submitting a memorandum to President Ramnath Kovind seeking construction of the mosque at the disputed site and ensure punishment to those behind its demolition. 

Security arrangements were tightened in Ayodhya and barricades were put up at all the entry points to the town. The administration had banned processions and meetings as a precautionary measure.