Image Courtesy: The Indian Express
The judgement in the sensitive Ayodhya land dispute is due to be out anytime soon. In wake of this, the Ayodhya district administration has passed a slew of directives ahead of the Supreme Court verdict on the decades-old Ram temple issue, with the District Magistrate appealing to the public to not share social media posts that may hurt the sentiments of any community, The Indian Express reported.
On Sunday, Ayodhya District Magistrate Anuj Kumar had said that Section 144 had been imposed in Ayodhya till December 10. Yesterday, the prohibitory orders were extended to December 28, with a ban imposed on any event or processions marking a “victory” or “mourning” over the Supreme Court judgment.
Hoarding and black-marketing of ration, cereals, vegetables, fruits, eggs and edible oils have also been banned.
The order, now revised with a set of 30 detailed instructions includes restrictions on any event, public programme, procession, rally and wall paintings related to Ramjanmabhoomi.
Also, because digital wars have now started creating a communal discord, the order also states that “no attempt should be allowed to make any insulting remarks on great personalities, deities and gods on any social media platform such as Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp. Besides, no installation of idols of any deity will take place without permission from the district administration.”
Without permission from the district administration, no individual, except for government officers can carry licensed weapons. Individuals are also banned from keeping acid or any item that comprises a potent explosive substance or chemical formula, stones, pebbles, broken glass pieces or even empty bottles.
There is a ban on throwing any non-vegetarian leftovers at a public place. “Besides, no sale or consumption of meat, fish and eggs will take place on Kartik Purnima, Chaudahkosi and Panchkosi Parikrama Mela during this period,” the order stated.
The order also states that anyone violating the restrictions will be booked under Section 188 of the IPC (disobedience of an order promulgated by a public servant).
Efforts at sustaining communal harmony
In the wake of the verdict, the BJP government’s ally the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an organization gunning for the construction of the Ram temple, has asked its followers to respect the verdict of the apex court so as to maintain communal harmony in the country.
Meanwhile, Vinay Katiyar, the founder of the Bajrang Dal and of the frontrunners in the campaign for the construction of the Ram temple yesterday sought to incite the minorities by saying that he was sure that the verdict would be in the favour of the majority and that Kashi and Mathura was on the agenda next.
The Aligarh Muslim University has also appealed to the AMU fraternity and all sections of society to show that Indians believed in the rule of law and asked them to respect to the decision of the Supreme Court and not give out any statement or indulge in any activity that could vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the campus.
It also urged people to not give in to rumours, false propaganda and fake news, but work together to maintain amity and brotherhood all over the country.
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