Religious leaders and outfits of both Hindu and Muslim communities appealed for calm and peace ahead of the much-anticipated Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya title dispute.
Senior Muslim clerics across the state appealed for peace in mosques just before Friday prayers, asking community members to maintain harmony at all costs.
In Lucknow, the appeals were led by Imam of Aishbagh Eidgah, Maulana Khalid Rasheed Firangi Mahali.
“Whatever the Supreme Court verdict says, it has to be respected. There should be no celebration or public opposition. Nothing should be said to hurt the sentiments of any other community. We have to maintain peace at all costs,” Maulana Rasheed told a crowd of faithfuls at Lucknow’s Eidgah.
“The fabric of communal bonhomie and Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb should not be allowed to be damaged,” he said.
Appeals from Muslim leaders came a day after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) tweeted from its official handle, “Whatever be the verdict, everyone should accept it with an open mind. After the judgement, it is everyone’s responsibility that the atmosphere should remain cordial.”
RSS affiliate Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which runs a workshop in Ayodhya where carved stone pillars to be used in any future Rama temple in Ayodhya are stored, also announced the suspension of all its November programmes in anticipation of the Supreme Court verdict.
“It’s heartening to see that organisations of all communities are appealing for peace. We are all trying our best to ensure that communal harmony is maintained,” Maulana Khalid Rasheed said.
Meanwhile, a top UP Police officer visited Ayodhya on Friday afternoon to review security arrangements ahead of the verdict that is expected within a fortnight.
UP Police officers and personnel have been holding meetings at village-level in Ayodhya and elsewhere in the state with members of both communities and urging restraint.
Sources in the police said that a plan was in place to deploy a large number of forces — both state and para-military — in Ayodhya in the next few days.