Babri demolition anniversary: Muslims keep shutters down in Ayodhya

To mark their annual silent protest against the demolition of the 16th century Babri Mosque in Ayodhya on this day 14 years ago, Muslims in this ancient Hindu temple town and the twin town of Faizabad kept their commercial establishments closed on Wednesday.

On the other hand, in keeping with their tradition of observing December 6 as "shaurya diwas" (victory day) Hindu groups reiterated their stand to build a grand Ram temple to mark the birthplace of the most revered Hindu God Ram.

"However, no untoward happening was reported from either side and the day passed off peacefully", district magistrate Amod Kumar told rediff.com.

The proposed "grand temple" would eventually replace the makeshift temple that was erected shortly after Hindu karsewaks razed the Babri Masjid on December 6, 2002

Declaring it as a "black day" a group of local Muslims under the banner of Indian Muslim Samaj held a 'namaz' meeting at the local Malik Shah Mosque on Wednesday afternoon. Echoing their resolve to re-build the Babri mosque Haji Mohammad Ismail Ansari told media, "We do not want any confrontation but I am sure we will win the on-going legal battle for our legitimate right over the land in question."

Ayodhya's most prominent sadhu Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, who led the Hindu celebrations in the rival camp barely 6 km apart, said, "We have no objection to the construction of a mosque; Muslims may build a mosque anywhere other than the birthplace of Lord Ram where we have to build a grand temple."

Amidst echoing slogans of "Ram Lalla hum aaye hain, Mandir waheen banayenge," the Mahant was welcomed by a barely 1000 - odd gathering of saffron clad sadhus and others at the Karsewakpuram camp about 2 km from the disputed shrine.

Addressing the gathering, Bajrang Dal convenor Prakash Sharma said, "Reconstruction of the Babri Masjid was possible only with the rebirth of Babur and Muslims do not believe in re-birth, so they must give up their plans and hand over the land to Hindus."

Significantly, none of the one-time frontrunners of the temple movement were around. Even former local MP and founder of the Hindu hardline Bajrang Dal Vinay Katiyar kept away from Ayodhya.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad chief Ashok Singhal reiterated his resolve to build the temple at a poorly attended meeting in Lucknow.