NEW DELHI, 21 September 2006 — The Indian federal government has decided not to go ahead with a proposal to build a bulletproof cover over the makeshift Hindu temple built at the site of a demolished 16 th century Indian mosque in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
According to Home Ministry officials, the government has decided not to go ahead with the Mulayam Singh government’s proposal to build a new bulletproof cover over it to protect the building from attacks.
In 1991, the historical Babri Mosque, built by Mughal Emperor Babar, was demolished by right-wing Hindu zealots and a makeshift temple was erected in its place as Indian police and army looked on. Fear of an attack had prompted the state government to suggest putting up a bulletproof cover.
Initially, the central government enthusiastically endorsed plans to set up the structure and even went to the Supreme Court (SC), which in the past ordered status quo to be maintained. Plans were dropped following a backlash from Muslim leaders who felt that the structure would facilitate the building of a permanent temple on the Muslim site.
“The state government agreed and it was their responsibility. And with this we went to the SC so that we can strengthen the security cover,” said Shriprakash Jaiswal, union Minister of State for Home. But with assembly elections in UP soon, the central government decided to cancel plans for the bulletproof cover so as not to anger Muslim voters.
Meanwhile, 15-years on, a court in Rae-Bareily that is hearing the Babri demolition cases against right-wing Hindu fanatics including the former BJP President L K Advani, the former Union Ministers Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharati, yesterday adjourned hearing of the case to Oct. 12.
