Ayodhya news LIVE Updates: Uddhav Thackeray likens BJP to Kumbhakarna, demands ordinance for temple

We want a date for the Ram Temple: Uddhav Thackeray

Humein aaj mandir banne ki tareekh chahiye. Pehle mandir kab banaoge wo batao, baaki baatein to baad me hoti rahengi. Aaj mujhe tareekh chahiye: Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray in Ayodhya pic.twitter.com/U68rsl5y4Y

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 24, 2018

Shiv Sena leaders shout slogans at Lakshman Kila

We are tired of the slogan ‘Mandir wahin banayenge, lekin tareekh nahi batayenge’: Uddhav Thackeray

“The Centre should bring an ordinance on construction of the temple and Shiva Sena will support this,” Thackeray further said.

“Ab Hindu chup nahi baithega. Har Hindu ki yahi pukar: pehle mandir, fir sarkaar (Now, Hindus will not stay silent. Every Hindu has the same call: Temple first, government’s election second),” he said.

I have not come here to do politics on Ram Lalla: Uddhav Thackeray

“It is our responsibility to construct the Ram temple,” said Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at the Lakshman Kila. “I have not come here to do politics on Ram Lalla.”

“For how much time should we wait for the construction of the temple?” Thackeray further said.

Youth in Ayodhya divided on the Ram temple issue

Notwithstanding a growing chorus for early construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya ahead of next year’s general elections, many youth in the holy city say they don’t want to be drawn into the “political melee” while asserting that their future “won’t hinge” on the fate of the proposed temple.

Another section of youth, however, are anxious to have the temple constructed but “not at the cost of communal harmony”.

Aman Kumar, a stone craftsman in his late 30s who runs a statuary shop named Shri Ram Murti in the heart of the city, says, “Ayodhya is the land of Lord Ram. I was born here and more than three generations of my family have been living here. We are a family of Ram worshippers, and it pains us to see Ram Lalla inside a tent.”

A precious idol of Ram Lalla (child avatar of Lord Ram), along with those of Laxman, Bharat and Shatrughan, is currently kept inside the tent at the disputed Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site, which many Hindus believe to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. — PTI

Around 1,000 to 1,200 Shiv Sena members present at Lakshman Kila

Chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ are being echoed at the venue. Mahant Nritya Gopal Das has arrived at the venue to meet Uddhav Thackeray.

Inputs by Saurabh Sharma

In Pictures: Uddhav, Aditya Thackeraw heading towards Lakshman Kila

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray has arrived in Ayodhya along with his son Aditya. The duo are now heading towards Laxman Quila for Ashirwaad Sammelan, where Uddhav will perform rituals as part of a campaign to raise the pitch for the construction of a Ram temple. 

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray leaves for Lakshman Kila. He is on a two-day visit to Ayodhya. Shiv Sena will hold an event in the city tomorrow over the issue of #RamTemple. pic.twitter.com/jZkRx1WKdL

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 24, 2018

Babri Masjid Action Committee says Muslims feel threatened by congregation in sensitive temple town

Zafaryab Jilani, convener of the Babri Masjid Action Committee says that Muslims in Ayodhya are disturbed and feeling unsafe due to the proposed demonstrations of 24 and 25 November, and 6 Decemmber. He alleged that the political leadership of the state is colluding with the demonstrators, while they pushed on the herculean task of maintaining law and order in face of the huge congregation on the police department.

He said that the officers of State Governmment, Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Hoe), DGP, Commissioner Faizabad Division, DM Faizabad, DIG Faizabad, and SSP Faizabad have been entrusted for maintainance of law and order, protection of Muslim community, and mainenance of status quo at the disputed site. 

Input by Saurabh Sharma

UP minister OP Rajbhar backs Akhilesh Yadav’s demand of deploying army in Ayodhya

Beleaguered NDA ally, and a minister in Uttar Pradesh cabinet OP Rajbhar sided with the Opposition on the Ayodhya issue, and raised some uncomfortable questions for the government. Rajbhar questioned his own government’s intent, Rajbhar asked that if the local administration had imposed Section 144 then why were so many Shiv Sainiks, coming from different states, allowed in the town.

He also supported Akhilesh Yadav’s demand of deploying the army in Ayodhya to maitain law and order. 

Input by Saurabh Sharma

Muslims groups in Lucknow protest against Thackeray’s visit 

Some Muslim groups in Lucknow, 130 kilometres from Ayodhyam came out in protest against Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s visit to the temple town. Some organisations have burnt his effigy and raised anti-Shiv Sena slogans. 

Earlier there were reports that some Muslim families have moved out of the city temporarily as the huge congregation of right-wing workers descended in Ayodhya. Local traders have already threatened to down shutters on Sunday and show black flags to Thackeray to protest attacks on North Indians in Mumbai, fomented by his party.

Input by Saurabh Sharma

Top priority remains maintaining law ad order, says UP Police

ADG Anand Kumar (law and order) says that the administration’s priority is to maintain the law and order so that all the programmes are conducted peacefully. Kumar said that dequate security measures have been put in place to ensure that Supreme Court’s order to maintain status quo at the disputed cite is upheld. 

Uttar Pradesh Police seal Ayodhya borders 

Uttar Pradesh Police sealed off all the roads leading to Ayodhya soon after the arrival of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray. Traffic has been diverted from the Naya Ghat, Lakshman Gate and the fort, all the places the Sena chief is scheduled to visit today. 

Input by Saurabh Sharma

Uddhav Thackeray arrives in Ayodhya 

Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray, accompanied by his wife Rashmi and son Aditya, arrived in Ayodhya on Saturday. Upon his arrival, he was greeted by senior Shiv Sena cadres and other officials to the slogans of “Jai Sri Ram”. He left for the Laxmi Fort from the air strip in a heavily guarded cavalcade of cars. 

Input by Saurabh Sharma