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Even as the 19th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Mosque in Ayodhya on Tuesday remained a non-event, what came as a pleasant surprise was the message of peace and communal amity from none other than Babri Masjid Action Committee.
Interestingly, even as Vishwa Hindu Parishad observed a low-key 'shaurya diwas' (victory day) reiterating their vow to build a grand Ram temple at the site of the makeshift temple, the BMAC sought to propagate a message of communal amity.
While holding a "condolence meet" to mourn the demolition of the Babri Mosque, BMAC convenor Zafaryab Jilani told a small gathering in Faizabad, "I am convinced that the demolition act was committed by outsiders and local people of Ayodhya- Faizabad had no role in the condemnable act."
Swearing to abide by the order of the Supreme Court where the land dispute case was now pending, he said, "We have full faith in the judicial process and we would accept the final verdict of the highest court of the land."
Significantly, he went on to emphasise, "There can be no better example of communal harmony than this town, where Hindus and Muslims have been living amicably without any tension even after 1992."
On the contrary, while addressing their own gathering at the Karsewakpuram in Ayodhya, Ramjanmbhoomi Trust chief Mahant Nritya Gopal Das said, "We are committed to building a grand Ram temple in place of the makeshift temple."
Meanwhile, security had already been intensified throughout Uttar Pradesh in the wake of Mohurrum that coincided with the anniversary, and special vigil was maintained in and around Ayodhya .
According to Additional Director General of Police (law and order) Subesh Kumar Singh, "Directives were issued to enhance security in and around all major installations and important public places including markets, railways and bus stations."
He said, "We also kept a vigil over the guest list of hotels and guest houses as also keeping an eye on vehicles crossing into UP from multiple entry points along the Indo-Nepal border."
In view of intelligence reports, security was enhanced in and around all such prisons where suspected terrorists were lodged.