Ayodhya

The VHP and its associated groups have opted out of organizing any events or public gatherings in Ayodhya, including Karsevakpuram, on this day.

Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai told a select group of journalists that the temple will be earthquake-resistant and sturdy enough to last over 1,000 years. The temple is being built at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore. Rai said that 50 per cent of the construction work has been completed. The temple, which will have 392 pillars and 12 doors, is being constructed without using iron bars. Instead of iron, copper chips are being used to join stones, he said.

While inaugurating the Deepotsav in Ayodhya on Sunday, he said, "The lamp burns too and lights too." The Prime Minister recalled the pandemic and said that every Indian stood with one lamp in hand and we are defeated the darkness of illness.

A state government spokesman said: "Thousands of years ago, the princess of Ayodhya travelled to Korea through waterways. Taking a cue, the state government will now explore options to connect Ayodhya with waterways through the Saryu and Ghaghra rivers which flow through the temple town."

The security was intensified in both Uttar Pradesh cities of Ayodhya and Mathura and the holy city has been divided into multiple security zones. Security forces have been posted at all sensitive zones on high alert. In addition to this, the magistrates were also instructed to remain vigilant and keep a tab on all major and minor

The industry hub, spread over 100 acres, will form part of Ayodhya Master Plan-2031 that is being prepared by the ADA. According to ADA Vice Chairman Vishal Singh, the master plan is expected to be finalised next month and will be sent for state government's approval. Unlike other development projects, the ADA will not acquire land from farmers.

According to eyewitnesses, the miscreants had a BJP flag in their hands and were raising communal slogans. They also pelted stones before setting the house on fire. Khurshid has been the target of some Hindu organisations after he compared Hindutva with radical Islamist groups like ISIS and Boko Haram in his book, "Sunrise Over Ayodhya: Nationhood in Our Times".

Gopal told IANS that the foundation work of the temple is almost complete with one and a half metre raft work which is going at a fast pace. This work will be completed in the next 15 days and with this the work of construction of foundation of the temple will be completed in November this year.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who reached Ayodhya for the fifth 'Deepotsav' (festival of lights) event, while inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of various projects worth Rs 661 crore, credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the construction of a grand Ram temple and also launched an attack on the opposition parties.

Security has been further beefed up after a recent threat letter was received, purportedly written by a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist commander, threatening to blow up 46 railway stations, including Ayodhya. The town's borders have been sealed and vehicular entry banned, barring VIP and official cars, which need to be parked a kilometre away from the Ram Katha Park.