Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh: Ayodhya remained under an extensive, multi-layered security blanket on Saturday, marking the 33rd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition. The day saw a noticeable absence of the large, organized political and religious mobilizations that characterized the event in previous years, reflecting a new, post-Supreme Court verdict reality in the city.
🔒 Fortress Ayodhya: Security on High Alert
Security forces, including the Special Security Force (SSF), CRPF, and local police, were deployed in large numbers across the holy city, focusing on the newly completed Ram Mandir complex and all major entry points.
- Intensified Checks: Thorough checking drives were conducted at the Ayodhya railway station, bus stands, and key roads. Bomb and dog squads carried out checks to ensure no security breaches.
- Prohibitory Orders: Local activists and residents confirmed that administrative curbs have effectively banned the public observance of “Black Day” or “Shaurya Diwas” (Day of Valor) since the 2019 Supreme Court judgment settled the land dispute.
- Political Tributes: Despite the lack of organized public rallies, the ruling party’s state units posted messages on social media, paying tribute to those associated with the Ram Temple movement on what they termed “Shaurya Diwas.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, speaking at an event, emphasized that the completion of the Ram Temple has led to “lasting peace” in the state, contrasting the current calm with the “curfew-like situation” that defined the city on December 6 in earlier decades.
🕌 Dhannipur Mosque Project Eyes April 2026 Start
While the Ram Mandir marked its formal completion with the hoisting of a religious flag last month, the alternative five-acre land allotted for the new mosque complex in Dhannipur village remains barren. However, the trust in charge has announced a tentative timeline for the start of construction.
- April 2026 Rollout Planned: The Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF), the trust responsible for the project, stated that construction for the Muhammad bin Abdullah Masjid complex could begin around April 2026.
- Revised Design Submitted: The key to this timeline is the approval of the revised layout plan by the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA). The IICF had previously dropped its modern, futuristic design in favor of a more traditional Indo-Islamic architectural style following objections from the community. The revised map is expected to be submitted to the ADA by the end of December 2025.
- Funding and Land Constraints: The IICF faces financial hurdles and is eager to secure mandatory clearances, such as the FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act), to begin soliciting overseas donations. Furthermore, officials noted that the effective usable area of the allotted five acres is closer to four acres due to technicalities, raising the possibility of the community complex being developed in a phased manner across multiple locations.
The new complex is planned to include the mosque, a 500-bed multi-specialty hospital, a community kitchen, and a cultural research center.
⚖️ Political and Community Reaction
The day underscores the finality of the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict.
Voice of Harmony: Iqbal Ansari, a former Muslim litigant in the Babri Masjid case, highlighted the current mood of the city, stating, “Temple built, brotherhood prevails in Ayodhya.” He noted the significant development the city has seen since the verdict, including a new airport and improved infrastructure.
- Controversy in Bengal: The national focus on the issue was amplified by a political row in West Bengal, where a suspended TMC MLA announced plans to lay the foundation stone for a mosque named “Babri Masjid” in Murshidabad. The Secretary of the IICF criticized the move, calling it “politically motivated” and urging a name that promotes harmony.
The highly secure and peaceful observation of the anniversary highlights the transformation of Ayodhya from a conflict zone to a center of pilgrimage and development, with two distinct construction projects now defining the future landscape of the city.
