Ayodhya Verdict: Army, Police Administration Gear up to Ensure Peace in Communally Sensitive West UP

New Delhi: Police and civil administration are leaving no stone unturned to make sure watertight security arrangements are in place in communally sensitive Western Uttar Pradesh in view of Supreme Court’s upcoming judgment on the decades-old Ramjanambhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute. The crucial verdict is expected any time soon.

Repairing and checking of police and paramilitary forces’ vehicles, repairing of public address systems, mock drills, flag marches and security apparatus audits are being carried out and the armoury is being revisited across several districts of the region — some of which had witnessed large-scale communal violence in 2013.

Cybercell teams of the state police are busy making a critical and careful examination of social media accounts to check rumour-mongering and spot trouble-makers.

With a view to ensuring a violence-free atmosphere pre- and post-verdict, even the Army has been roped in. Top police officials held a meeting with top officers of the West UP Sub Area Command at its headquarters in Meerut on November 7 wherein sensitive inputs were exchanged to thwart any attempt to disturb peace.

Meanwhile, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal — both affiliates of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and which were at the forefront in the demolition of the Babri mosque in 1992 — have said that they would respect the apex court’s verdict, be it in the favour of the temple or mosque.

“The issue is related to Lord Shri Ram who carried the tradition of Maryada Purushottam and we are duty bound to carry forward his legacy. Going on rampage, indulging in arson and vitiating communal harmony in the name of Lord Ram is not unjustified, but a sin. Therefore, whatever be the SC judgment, we will accept it. We have already decided that if the verdict comes in our favour, the Bajrang Dal, VHP or any other Hindu organisation will not hold any celebration of victory. The land in question belongs to Shri Ram and if it is coming back to its original owner, there is nothing to celebrate,” Vivek Premi, Bajrang Dal head for Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat and Sardhana and also head of the Right wing group’s students wing of Meerut zone, told Newsclick.

Premi said they had assured the police administration that they would maintain peace and cooperate it in efforts to ensure safety and security in all possible ways. “The trouble-makers — it does not matter which community they belong to — must be dealt with iron hand,” he said.

At the same time, the Bajrang Dal leader claimed that the verdict would be in favour of Hindu parties. Asked what if that does not happen, he said, “In that case, our Saint Margdarshak Mandal will sit and decide the future course of action.”

The Western UP region is known as the sugarcane belt and has seen various farmer protests in recent days. When asked about the upcoming verdict, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait said it was good that the decades-long controversy was coming to an end. This means the politics would shift from mosque-temple to development and other issues impacting people’s day-to-day life, he added.

“I too have attended several peace meetings wherein it was mutually resolved that the top court’s verdict is final and there should be no hue and cry after it. We all will accept the judgment and respect people’s sentiments. No one will be allowed to create tension,” he Tikait said.

In 2013, the BKU leader was criticised for inciting communal passions during the Muzaffarnagar riots and failing to control the charged mob, which he could have done — according to locals — given the kind of support and respect his organisation enjoys.

Ghulam Mohammed Jaula, an 82-year-old BKU veteran, who formed his own organisation — the Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Manch — after the 2013 communal riots, said Muslims of the region were least bothered about the verdict. It’s the police which is terrifying people, he alleged.

“We have nothing to do with Babri Masjid. There is no dearth of places to offer prayers. The police is unnecessarily holding meetings with people and threatening them of legal repercussions every now and then. Why will Muslims create unrest in the society? What will they get if the verdict comes in favour or against the mosque? There is no fear. Nothing will happen. We are peace-loving people and respect the verdict,” he said, adding that the community, like others, have their own problems of livelihood and was busy addressing those.

“We have suffered a lot as a result of communal violence in 2013. It is we who bear the brunt. Therefore, we don’t want any conflict anymore,” he concluded.

Bajrang Dal state convenor Balraj Singh Dungar termed the title dispute as a fight between “truth and untruth” and told Newsclick that his organisation would accept the verdict with “open heart”.

He said there was no question of violence even if the judgment went against Hindu parties. “The 2010 verdict of the Allahabad High Court — which had divided the land into three parts between the litigants — was also against us, but we accepted that and no violence took place. In democracy, the judiciary is supreme. … The whole world is watching us and we will show them that we are a mature democracy,” he added.

Dungar was arrested in October 2013 for his alleged role in the violence that broke out during Mahapanchayat organised in support of another accused and BJP MLA Sangeet Som.

The Bajrang Dal leader was arrested for allegedly instigating violence by making inflammatory speeches during the Mahapanchayat meet organised to protest slapping of National Security Act on Som in connection with Muzaffarnagar riots.

It may be recalled, that this time round, both the Central and Uttar Pradesh governments are being ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).