Ayodhya Dharam Sabha: VHP rejects land sharing formula

Ayodhya has come alive to the loud chants of "Jai Shree Ram" this bright Sunday morning, with devotees from all walks of life descending here to take part in Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) "dharam sabha" to discuss the way forward for the construction of the temple.

VHP said it will not cede an inch of land for anything but a Ram temple and demanded from the Sunni Waqf Board that they withdraw their case over distribution of the disputed land as ordered by the Allahabad High Court (HC).

"The distribution of land is not acceptable to us and we want the whole land for Lord Ram," saud Champat Rai, International Vice President of VHP. He also pointed out that the Hindus will not accept offering of "Namaaz" over any piece of the disputed land.

The surging crowds from not just neighbouring cities but also from far off places, clad in saffron robes and "safas", were seen moving in groups to Badey Bhaktmaal ki Bagia , the venue of the dharam sabha.

VHP's 'Dharma Sabha' is being touted as the largest congregation of 'Ram bhakts' in Ayodhya since the 1992 'kar seva', with the Hindu outfit claiming a large number of people will attend it.

The congregation is happening less than two weeks ahead of the 26th anniversary of the demolition of the 16th century Babri Mosque, that had triggered unrest in this pilgirm town and riots in other parts of India.

The spectre of 1992 still haunts many people of both the communities who had directly or indirectly suffered in the violence that had erupted after the Mughal-era mosque was razed by a frenzied army of 'kar sewaks' (right-wing activists) on the fateful day of December 6.