In Ayodhya Today: A VHP Dharma Sabha And A Shiv Sena Congregation, To Up The Pressure For A Ram Temple

The Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh has deployed tight security for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)’s Dharma Sabha in Ayodhya on 25 November, a show of strength for which the outfit expects a turnout of two lakh Ram devotees, reports Indian Express.

However, Shiv Sena also pitched in for the construction of the Ram temple today. The two organisations have planned to hold separate events in Ayodhya. The Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is on a two-day visit to the state, where he will offer prayers at the Ram Janmabhoomi and participate in the aarti by the Sarayu river and will speak to saints and people there. He will also hand over a pot full of soil from the Shivneri fort in Pune to the mahant or priest at the janmabhoomi.

Beefing up security, three senior IPS officers have been deputed to oversee the arrangements at programmes of the VHP and Shiv Sena. The Dharma Sabha will be held at Bade Bhakt Mal Ki Baghia, around 300 metres from the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas workshop.

The city of Ayodhya has been divided into nine zones and 17 sectors. The government has also deployed ATS commandos, 42 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary, five companies of the Rapid Action Force and drone cameras to maintain law and order in Ayodhya, Lucknow ADG (Law and order) Anand Kumar said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the VHP will hold similar Dharma Sabhas in Nagpur and Bengaluru on 25 November, a sabha in Mumbai on 2 December and a bigger congregation in New Delhi on 9 December.