Ayodhya news LIVE updates: Narendra Modi claims Congress threatened judges hearing Ram Mandir title suit, tried to have CJI impeached

Sitaram Yechury says BJP seeking votes in Lord Rama’s name

The BJP and its allies are now seeking votes in Lord Ram’s name, inciting religious sentiments, creating a Hindu-Muslim divide, CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said  on Sunday, adding that his party aims to defeat their divisive politics and set up a secular state.

In Alwar, Narendra Modi targets Congress for ‘attacking judiciary’ hearing crucial matters like the Ayodhya issue

The Congress creates an atmosphere of fear for the judiciary when the court hears the Ayodhya issue. They do everything possible to impeach the Chief Justice. How can such things be accepted," Modi said in his rally in Rajasthan’s Alwar on Sunday.

Jab SC ka koi judge Ayodhya jaise gambheer samvedansheel maslo mein, desh ko nyaya dilane ki disha mein sabko sunna chahte hain to Congress ke Rajya Sabha ke vakeel SC ke nyaayamurtiyo ke khilaf impeachment la kar ke unko darate dhamkate hain: PM Narendra Modi in Alwar #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/YftHIkv2k1

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2018

‘Ram Mandir is not a political issue,’ says Devendra Fadnavis

Ram temple is not a political issue, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday expressed hope that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, who is in Ayodhya, would get the blessings of Lord Ram. “The construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya is not a political issue. Shri Ram is the deity for entire India, Thackeray would get his blessings too,” Fadnavis told reporters at Karad in Maharashtra’s Satara district.

Dharma Sabha sees more than 100 seers in attendance

More than 100 prominent Hindu seers, including Mahant Ravindra Puri, Mahant Suresh Das of the Digambar Akhada, head of the Ram Janmabhoom Trust Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Jagatguru Ramanadcharya Hansdevacharya from Haridwar, Jagatguru Ramanandacharya Swami Ram Bhadracharya, Swami Gyananad Giri from Odisha were part of the religious congregation, IANS reported.

Hindu leaders and seers share stage at the Dharma Sabha in Ayodhya

The conglomeration of Hindu seers on Sunday said that it was very much clear that the issue of Ram Temple was not dead yet. 

Mehant Soordas stopped from entering disputed site 

Mahant Soordas was stopped by the UP Police near the Chhavni when he tried going to the disputed site with a brick with ‘Shree Ram’ written on it.

Input by Saurabh Sharma

UP Police confirms presence of one lakh supporters in Ayodhya

UP ADG (law and order ) Anand Kumar told reporters in Lucknow that there are one lakh people in Ayodhya. Out of which, 70,000 people are at the venue while the rest are on streets in the city.

Input by Saurabh Sharma

Dharma Sabha puts blame on SC for delay in construction of Ram Mandir

The Dharm Sabha on Sunday put the blame of delay in construction of the Ram temple on the Supreme Court instead of BJP. Dharma Sabha’s stance ans shifting of blame indicates that next elections may be fought on the idea of Hindutva.

Input by Saurabh Sharma

Mohan Bhagwat to address VHP’s ‘Hunkar Rally’ in Nagpur today

RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat will address VHP’s ‘H_unkar_ Rally’ in Nagpur over the Ram Mandir issue later on Sunday, ANI reported .

Shivpal Yadav meets UP governor, asks him to dissolve govt if fails to secure communal harmony

Founder of Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia), Shivpal Yadav, met the Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik over the Ram Mandir issue and asked him to suspend the UP government if it fails to maintain communal harmony in the state, News18 reported.

The case is in the SC, we should either wait for orders or find consensus. Govt has a lot of land, it (Ram temple) could be constructed across the Sarayu river. There should be no talks of temple on a disputed land: Shivpal Yadav, Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party Lohia in Lucknow pic.twitter.com/uWQ7XdWqwZ

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 25, 2018

AAP takes a dig on Ram Mandir row

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday tweeted a cartoon to mock the growing clamour over Ram Mandir in Ayodhya as the elections approach. 

राम लला हम आएंगे, असली मुद्दे भटकाएँगे और चुनाव के बाद आपको भूल जाएंगे ! pic.twitter.com/8CXLLL6lW7

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) November 25, 2018

Right-wing activists raise slogans, demand construction of Ram Mandir in Dharma Sabha

Many activists and supporters demandedthat the construction of Ram temple should start from Sunday itself.

Image courtesy: Saurabh Sharma

UP Police says its committed to uphold Supreme Court’s directions

“The state government, state police and the administration are committed to uphold the directions by the Supreme Court and High Court,” ADG (law and order) Anand Kumar told ANI.

Ayodhya has been divided into zones. Security scheme has been implemented. Red zone and yellow zone are two main security zones. State govt, state police and administration are committed to uphold the directions by the Supreme Court and High Court: ADG (law and order) Anand Kumar pic.twitter.com/rAfKIfERpe

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 25, 2018

UP Police says its committed to uphold Supreme Court’s directions

“The state government, state police and the administration are committed to uphold the directions by the Supreme Court and High Court,” ADG (law and order) Anand Kumar told ANI.

Ayodhya has been divided into zones. Security scheme has been implemented. Red zone and yellow zone are two main security zones. State govt, state police and administration are committed to uphold the directions by the Supreme Court and High Court: ADG (law and order) Anand Kumar pic.twitter.com/rAfKIfERpe

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 25, 2018

Mallikarjun Kharge hits out at Shive Sena for Udhhav’s Ram Mandir pitch

Kharge called Shiv Sena’s plea to the BJP govt for building the Ram temple as a mere rhetoric and termed the party’s attempts as a political ploy.

Everyone's going there due to elections.Who stopped Uddhav Thackeray from going there in past 4-5 yrs?On one hand, they're friends with BJP&on the other they want to tell people they're interested in constructing #RamTemple&are pressurising govt.People won't be befooled: M Kharge pic.twitter.com/38rQl7lHX2

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2018

VHP vice-president Champat Rai says Ram Mandir didn’t end on 6 December 1992

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)’s national vice-president Champat Rai addressed the gathering in Ayodhya for the ‘Dharma Sabha’. The mobilisation you see today is just from 45 districts of Uttar Pradesh. Some intelligent people of this country need to be reminded that issue of Ram temple didn’t end on 6 December 1992," Rai said, according to News18 report .

VHP supporters gather in large numbers as ‘Dharma Sabha’ begins

A VHP banner saying ‘Yachana nahi ab rann hoga’ has become a centre of attraction at the ‘Dharma Sabha’ venue The organizers are reportedly miffed with the banner and are reprimanding the banner holders to remove the banner from the dais. Meanwhile, saints have done lamp-lightning for the event to begin.

Input by Saurabh Sharma

Keshav Prasad Maurya hits back at Uddhav Thackeray, says Shiv Sena has ’no role in temple movement’

Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Sunday disapproved of the Shiv Sena’s push for constructing a Ram temple here, saying the party had no role in the temple movement. Maurya’s remarks came a day after Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray asked the BJP-led NDA government to declare a date for the construction of the Ram temple. “There is no problem in Uddhav Thackeray catching a glimpse of Ram Lalla… But, had Balasaheb Thackeray been alive, he would have prevented Uddhav from doing whatever he is doing,” Maurya told PTI.“The Shiv  Sena had no role in the temple movement or even in the Dharam Sabha, though Balasaheb Thackeray would support the Vishwa Hindu Parishad,” he said.

He said Uddhav Thackeray should take the VHP, “which is leading such a large-scale movement, along with his party. There is no point creating a divide”. The deputy chief minister, who was part of the VHP during the Ram temple movement, said, “The devotees of Lord Ram know who can actually make a sacrifice now and who had made a sacrifice earlier.”

‘No hidden agenda in coming to Ayodhya, want to express sentiments of Hindus,’ says Uddhav Thackeray

Udhhav asked the BJP to bring an ordinance On Ram Mandir and get the temple made as soon as possible. 

Saints who blessed me y'day,I'd told them that the work which we're about to begin can't be done without their blessings.I've no hidden agenda in coming to Ayodhya.I've come to express sentiments of all Indians&Hindus across world.All are waiting for #RamTemple: Uddhav Thackeray pic.twitter.com/gdnVCvOhoy

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 25, 2018

Saints arrive at Dharma Sabha venue; Sadhvi Prachi’s supports pick up fight

Sadhvi Prachi, the firebrand Hindu leader was not given place at the stage of the ‘Dharma Sabha’ and thus her supporters entered into an argument with the organisers. Meanwhile, saints have started to arrive at the venue as security drones keep a watch on the programme. 

Input by Saurabh Sharma

‘Bring an ordinance on Ram Mandir, Shiv Sena will support you,’ Uddhav Thackeray tells BJP govt

Uddhav Thackeray in a press conference on Sunday asked the BJP govt at Centre to bring an ordinance on the Ram Mandir and said that Shiv Sena will support the govt on all Hindutva agendas. “Ab Hindu maat nahin khaaega_,_ chup nahin rahega_….Mandir yahin banega,_ zaroor banega lekin kab,” Uddhav asked. He said that the government should stop playing with Hindu’s emotions and not make the Ram temple issue into another of its ‘chunavi jumla’.

Baba Ramdev pitches for Ram Mandir

Yoga guru Ramdev asked on Twitter on Sunday that if land can be acquired for construction of roads, hospitals and airports, why can’t it be done to build a temple.

जब हम सड़कें, अस्पताल, एयरपोर्ट बनाने के लिए जमीन का अधिग्रहण कर सकते हैं,
तो राष्ट्र के गौरव भगवान राम के लिए जमीन अधिग्रहण क्यों नहीं हो सकता... #RamMandir pic.twitter.com/aGADG4spzk

— स्वामी रामदेव (@yogrishiramdev) November 25, 2018

Local residents say may people have come only to visit Ayodhya, not aware of ‘Dharma Sabha’

Dhruv Prasad Chaurasia, a resident of Azamgarh told the reporters on the ground that a lot of people have come to Ayodhya only to visit the city and do sightseeing and they do not know what the ‘Dharma Sabha’ is.

Input by Saurabh Sharma

UP govt equipped to handle Ayodhya situation: MoS MEA VK Singh

Reacting to Akhilesh Yadav’s statement that ‘Army should be brought in Ayodhya if required’, MoS MEA VK Singh told ANI, “There is enough law and order machinery available. I’m quite sure the govt being that of the BJP, unlike other parties, will ensure that law and order is maintained.”

There's enough law & order machinery available. I'm quite sure the govt being that of BJP, unlike other parties, will ensure that law and order is maintained: MoS MEA, VK Singh on Akhilesh Yadav's statement that 'Army should be brought in Ayodhya if required.' pic.twitter.com/ct5fPtBw51

— ANI (@ANI) November 25, 2018

Uddhav Thackeray visits Ram Lalla temple site

The Shiv Sena chief is on the second day of his Ayodhya visit today. He visited the Ram Mandir site earlier on Sunday to pray along with his son Aditya Thackeray.

Ayodhya: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray returns to the hotel after visiting the Ram Lalla temple earlier today. pic.twitter.com/Py0I4yPdKd

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 25, 2018

Local VHP leaders leave Chhavni

The ‘Chhavni’, where the stones are kept for the temple construction was jam-packed and people are saying that they are waiting for the orders from ‘Dharm Sabha’ to start the construction. An equal number of women supporters have also turned up. However, the area was later evacuated by the VHP leaders.

Input by Saurabh Sharma

Uddhav Thackeray and son leave to pray at Ram janmabhoomi site

According to several media reports , Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aditya Thackeray have left to pray at the disputed Ram janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya. This is Thackeray’s Day 2 of the Mandir push.

In Pics: Tight security arrangement seen across Ayodhya

As both Shiv Sena and VHP supporters are out on the streets, security has been tightened by the Uttar Pradesh Police. 

Visuals from Ayodhya. VHP and Shiv Sena are organising separate events in the city today over the matter of #RamTemple. pic.twitter.com/kKKFBhaTR0

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 25, 2018

In Pics: Prototype of the proposed statue approved by the Uttar Pradesh govt

The Uttar Pradesh government will install a 221-metre bronze statue of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh Principal Secretary (Information) Avanish Awasthi said on Saturday. While the height of the actual statue would be 151 metres, its overhead umbrella would be 20 metres while the pedestal would be 50 metres, he said. A museum would be housed at the pedestal, Awasthi said. Five firms shortlisted for construction of the statue gave presentations before Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the officer said, adding soil testing is being done for installing the statue.

VHP rally gets BJP government’s support

According to CNN-News18,  the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) rally is backed by the BJP government. Posters and banners of lawmakers have come up in and around the meeting area. However, the rally is expected to be largely peaceful.

Security heightened as more than one lakh people reach Ayodhya

The UP Police has said that around five lakh people are expected while more than one lakh people have already arrived in Ayodhya from different parts of the country. The entire town has been turned into a fortress as there is police deployment and barricading is seen in abundance and no vehicle is allowed in the temple town.

Input by: Saurabh Sharma

Watch: People demand immediate construction of Ram temple

VHP workers who have come to Ayodhya from across the country chanted slogans for the construction of Ram Mandir. They demand that the construction of the temple should start on Sunday itself. 

Opposition attacks BJP, Shiv Sena over mandir issue; AIMPLB says Muslims in Ayodhya are ’terrified’

Samajwadi Party and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said the Army should be deployed in Ayodhya, if needed, to maintain law and order. All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Zafaryab Jilani said Muslims in Ayodhya are “terrified” ahead of the VHP meeting. No untoward incident was reported on Saturday and the police assured that strict security arrangements are in place.

Meanwhile, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has slammed the BJP and the Shiv Sena, saying they are raking up the Ram temple issue ahead of the Lok Sabha polls to divert attention from their failures. “Had their intentions been good they needn’t have waited for five years. It’s their political tactic, nothing else,” she said in a statement.

Devotees take a dip in Sarayu river before VHP meet

Devotees bathed in Sarayu before going to the ‘dharm sabha’ venue. The Saryu river bank saw almost 50,000 people on Sunday, the local police said.

Image courtesy: Saurabh Sharma

Recap: Udhhav Thackeray calls Modi govt ‘Kumbhakarna’

Arriving in Ayodhya ahead of Sunday’s VHP rally for a Ram temple, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday asked the Narendra Modi government to wake up from a “Kumbhakarna-like slumber” and declare the date for its construction. “I have come here to awaken the Kumbhakarana,” he said Saturday, indirectly comparing Modi, or his government, to the Ramayana character known for sleeping for months at a stretch. “Today’s Kumbhakarna has been sleeping for the past four years," he said.

The town turned into a virtual fortress with multiple layers of security and deployment of drones as people began arriving here for Sunday’s `Dharam Sabha’, being organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to push for the construction of the Ram temple. The Sena leader is also urging the government to bring legislation – or an ordinance – for building the temple on the disputed site in Ayodhya, but he has not linked his own two-day visit to VHP event. The VHP claimed three lakh people, including seers, will attend its public meeting, which has triggered some apprehension over the safety of the town’s Muslim community.

‘Here to support construction of Ram Mandir’

People have been arriving in Ayodhya from acorss India over the last few days. After an initial show of strength by Shiv Sena on Sunday, more people arrived in Ayodhya on Sunday.

“I am here to support construction of Ram Mandir. And I want the government to construct the temple as soon as possible. There should be no delay in constructing Ram Mandir,” says Ritesh Kumar Chaurasiya from Chhapra, Bihar. Ritesh is one of the many VHP supporters who reached Ayodhya to take part in VHP-led Dharma Sabha.

Watch: People demand for Ram temple to be made on Sunday itself

Ayodhya turned into a fortess on Sunday as more people arrived in the city to take part in VHP-led Dharma Sabha. People were chanting slogans of making the temple on the same day itself.