Ayodhya Ram Mandir Highlights: Supreme Court not giving priority to the case, says Mohan Bhagwat

Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s ‘Dharma Sabha’ is being touted as the largest congregation of ‘Ram bhakts’ in Ayodhya since the 1992 ‘kar seva’, with the Hindu outfit claiming a large number of people will attend it.The congregation is happening less than two weeks ahead of the 26th anniversary of the demolition of the 16th century Babri Mosque, that had triggered unrest in this pilgrim town and riots in other parts of India.Here are the updates:

6:00 PM IST

Bhagwat says SC not giving priority to Ayodhya case

The matter is in Court, the decision should be given early. It has also been proved that the temple was there. Supreme Court is not giving priority to the case. Justice delayed is justice denied: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at Hunkar Sabha in Nagpur.

14:51 PM IST

VHP tells Muslims to handover land for Ram temple

VHP in the Dharma Sabha tells Muslims to handover land for Ram temple before BJP’s move for ordinance or else they will include demand for Kashi, Mathura and other temples.

14:47 PM IST

VHP’s Dharma Sabha resolves

Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Dharma Sabha resolves for construction of Ram temple. The organisation has not come up with any deadline and there is no demand for an ordinance.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Dharma Sabha resolves for construction of Ram temple ( HT Photo )

14:09 PM IST

People from intelligence agencies have been deployed: ADG (law and order)

We received alert by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) a few days back, it was a non-specific alert. Action is being take. People from intelligence agencies under state government and centre have been deployed there and are monitoring the situation, says ADG (law and order) on input by IB of an attack in Ayodhya.

14:02 PM IST

Hindus want Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura: RSS

Krishna Gopal of RSS says Hindus want Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura. We will follow whatever decision is taken at this Dharma Sabha.

13:59 PM IST

Drone cameras being used to assess crowd: ADG (law and order)

ADG (law and order) says heavy deployment of CAPF(Central Armed Police Forces), PAC(Provincial Armed Constabulary), ATS(Anti-Terrorism Squad) has been done.Drone cameras being used to assess crowd. 13 parking spots have been designated, 2000 buses from various places have come to Ayodhya.

13:47 PM IST

Ayodhya has been divided into red and yellow zones: Police

Ayodhya has been divided into zones and security scheme has been implemented, says police.

13:14 PM IST

Traffic jam at Lucknow- Gorakhpur highway

Traffic jam at Toll plazas located on Lucknow- Gorakhpur highway.

Traffic jam at Toll plazas located on Lucknow- Gorakhpur highway. ( HT Photo )

13:06 PM IST

Negligible presence of police

There is almost negligible presence of cops. Only RAF personnel are regulating traffic movement on the Faizabad- Ayodhya highway.

13:04 PM IST

People from Barabanki district have come to attend rally

People from as far as Barabanki district have also come to attend the rally. Slogans like ‘Baccha Baccha Ram Ka, Janmabhoomi ka kaam ka’, ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Jai Sri Ram’ are being raised by people arriving for the rally.

13:02 PM IST

Around 2 lakh people have already reached rally venue

There is constant movement of people from adjoining areas to the VHP’s Dharma Sabha at Bade Bhakt Mahal in Ayodhya. Around 2 lakh people have already reached the rally venue. People are still coming on bikes, pick-up vans, school buses, trucks and cars.

Around 2 lakh people have already reached the rally venue. ( HT Photo )

12:22 PM IST

Ram Lalla is in lock up: VHP

Ram Lalla is in lock up and we have to take him out to a magnificent temple. Ramanujacharya fire of 1992 has not died down, says VHP.

12:10 PM IST

Ayodhya is a pilgrimage of the Hindus: VHP

Ayodhya is a pilgrimage of the Hindus, so only a temple should be constructed here. There is no name of Babri masjid in India. Some will try to mislead the Hindus, says Rai.

12:05 PM IST

Namaz on grabbed land not acceptable: VHP

Namaz on grabbed land not acceptable. This land was taken by force. No one should test our patience,says Champat Rai.

12:02 PM IST

We do not want division of land: VHP

We do not want division of land. We want the entire land. Government of India should fulfil its commitment, says Champat Rai.

11:58 AM IST

Fight for Ram temple is continuing for 490 years: VHP

Some intellectuals think Ram temple issue is over with demotion of Babri masjid, says VHP vice president Champat Rai. The fight for Ram temple is continuing for 490 years.

11:55 AM IST

Drone cameras deployed at the venue

Drone cameras deployed for security at the venue.

11:52 AM IST

Virat Dharma Sabha begins

Virat Dharma Sabha begins with chanting of Vedic hymns.

11:51 AM IST

High security at the Vishwa Hindu Parishad venue

High security at the Vishwa Hindu Parishad venue for Virat Dharma Sabha.

11:43 AM IST

Had Balasaheb been alive, he would have prevented Uddhav: UP Deputy CM

There is no problem in Uddhav Thackeray catching a glimpse of Ram Lalla... But, had Balasaheb Thackeray been alive, he would have prevented Uddhav from doing whatever he is doing, Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya told news agency PTI.

11:18 AM IST

Ram temple will definitely be built: Uddhav

This government needs to understand that if the Ram temple is not built, they might not come back to power. But the temple will definitely be built, says Thackeray.

11:08 AM IST

Don’t play with the sentiments of the Hindus: Uddhav

If the matter is under legal jurisdiction, then the party should not use it as a poll plank.I have come here to say this only that don’t play with the sentiments of the Hindus, says Uddhav.

11:00 AM IST

Temple should be constructed at the earliest: Uddhav

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray says temple should be constructed at the earliest.

10:53 AM IST

I have no hidden agenda in coming to Ayodhya: Uddhav Thackeray

Saints who blessed me yesterday,I had told them that the work which we are about to begin can’t be done without their blessings.I have no hidden agenda in coming to Ayodhya.I have come to express sentiments of all Indians and Hindus across the world.All are waiting for Ram Temple, says Thackeray.

10:50 AM IST

Tight security near Hanuman Gadi Temple

Tight security near Hanuman Gadi Temple and Ram Janm Bhoomi in Ayodhya.

Tight security near Hanuman Gadi Temple and Ram Janmbhoomi in Ayodhya ( HT Photo )

10:00 AM IST

Police recovers a weapon from a Bajrang Dal activist

Police recovers a weapon from a Bajrang Dal activist near Ram Janmbhoomi.

09:55 AM IST

VHP workers leaving for Ayodhya from Gorakhpur

Vishwa Hindu Parishad workers are leaving for Ayodhya from Gorakhpur.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad workers are leaving for Ayodhya from Gorakhpur. ( HT Photo )

09:51 AM IST

Thackeray returns to the hotel after visiting the Ram Mandir

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray visits Ram Mandir, set to address media shortly.

09:47 AM IST

Hindu Yuva Vahini volunteers going to Ayodhya

Volunteers of Hindu Yuva Vahini (raised by Yogi Adityanath in 2002) going to Ayodhya from neighbouring Basti district.

Volunteers of Hindu Yuva Vahini are going to Ayodhya from neighbouring Basti district. ( HT Photo )

09:44 AM IST

Arrangements made for parking

Police ensures that arrangement is in place and everything would be done in an organised way.

09:35 AM IST

Alert on Indo-Nepal border

Alert on India-Nepal border in Bahraich and Siddharthnagar district as large number of people from Nepal are also going to Ayodhya to participate in the VHP Dharma Sabha.

09:13 AM IST

Slogans changing to Raja Ram Chandra ki Jai

Slogans changing to Raja Ram Chandra ki Jai, Har Har Mahadev and Jai Sri Ram. Security allowing entry only in small numbers.

09:09 AM IST

Blowing conch shells and raising Jai Ram slogans

Blowing conch shells and raising Jai Ram slogans, the people including devotees and VHP workers are reaching the entry point to the make shift temple.

09:06 AM IST

Long queue for ‘darshan’ at make shift temple

People are coming in large numbers for ‘darshan’ at the make shift temple.

09:04 AM IST

Sena workers reaching

Shiv Sena workers are reaching Ram janmbhoomi at a makeshift temple in large numbers before arrival of Udhav Thackeray.

8:48 AM IST

VHP volunteers started reaching Ayodhya from last night

Buses carrying Vishwa Hindu Parishad volunteers started reaching Ayodhya on Saturday night.

8:37 AM IST

Police diverting all vehicles

Police stopping and diverting all vehicles, even media vehicles are not being allowed. Those in Ayodhya are also finding it difficult to come to other side.

08:11 AM IST

Security tightened in Ayodhya

Security has been tightened in Ayodhya ahead of the separate events of Shiv Sena and VHP being organised in the city today over the matter of Ram Temple.