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Paramhans switches venues, shila daan complete

At 1540 IST, an hour and 25 minutes behind schedule, the shila daan ceremony was finally completed by Ram Janambhoomi Nyas president Ramchandra Das Paramhans.

Shatrughan Singh, in-charge of the Ayodhya Cell in the PMO, took charge of the shila to complete the ceremony. Accompanying Singh was Faizabad Divisional Commissioner Anil Kumar Gupta.

The ceremony was accomplished amidst high drama.

At 1415, the procession set out from Karsevakpuram. It was fronted by a decorated cart carrying a carved pillar -- the shila. Following the cart were cars carrying Paramhans, Vishwa Hindu Parishad international president Ashok Singhal, international secretary-general Praveen Togadia, Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Faizabad Vinay Katiyar, and other senior leaders.

They were accompanied by a couple of hundred karsevaks, chanting 'Jai Shri Ram'.

The chants, however, remained muted thanks to senior police officers asking the karsevaks to soft-pedal.

Meanwhile, Faizabad Divisional Commissioner Anil Kumar Gupta awaited the procession at the designated spot ahead of Hanuman Garhi.

As part of security regulations, a comprehensive cordon was thrown around the Hanuman Garhi region and only 16 persons, including Paramhans, was to be allowed to accompany the shila from that point on, to the site where A K Gupta awaited.

But when the procession reached Dighambar Akhara, Paramhans -- who is head mahant of the akhara -- suddenly alighted from his car and announced that the shila daan would be performed right there.

He then entered his akhara, while others scurried to inform Singh and Gupta of the change of plan and bring them to the akhara for the formal handing over of the shila.

While Paramhans did not give any reason for the switch in plan, speculation is that it was a shrewd move to ensure that there was a crowd of sorts when the handing over was done. Had he stuck with the administration's plan, he and 15 others would have had to make the last part of the journey without accompanying karsevaks, and the handing over would have been conducted away from the eyes of the media.

By abruptly switching the venue to his own akhara, Paramhans ensured that his disciples, the karsevaks and most importantly, the electronic and print media, were present to witness the handing over.

With the official ceremony completed, Paramhans and others are scheduled to go to the Ram Temple at Janambhoomi for darshan.

The Ayodhya Issue: Complete Coverage

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