Centre to give bullet-proof security to Ram Temple

New Delhi, Aug 29: The Union Home Ministry today sought six weeks' time from the Supreme Court to discuss the issue of providing bullet proof security to the 'sanctum sanctorum' of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya with the Uttar Pradesh government to finalise the strategy and time frame.

A bench comprising Justices K G Balakrishnan, G P Mathur and R V Raveendran adjourned the hearing for six weeks at the request of the additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium.

Another petition has also been filed by Aslam Bhure who is opposing the plea of the Centre for permission to tighten the security of Ram temple in Ayodhya in view of the heightened threat perception to the structure after recent terrorist attacks on religious places.Bhure has alleged that it was a conspiracy by the government to erect permanent temple at the disputed site at which Babri Masjid existed before its demolition in December,1992.

The Centre has cited recent terrorist attacks on Akshardham Temple in Ahemdabad and Sankat mochan temple in Varanasi which left over 50 dead and hundreds injured.

Bhure in his petition has opposed the move of the government saying that the security provided to the Ram Temple is sufficient and no further construction should be permitted as it may create tension among the two communities and such a move would hurt the religious sentiments of minority community. I Aslam Bhure had himself filed a PIL which was dismissed by the apex court praying for enhancing the security of religious places in the country after terrorist attack on Sankat Mochan temple in Varanasi.

The government had moved the application for permission to raise the height of he wall around the temple in Ayodhya to 8.5 feet in May this year in view of the status quo order passed by the Supreme Court in Dec. 1992 after demolition of Babri mosque.

UNI