14th anniversary of disputed structure demolition peaceful

New Delhi, Dec 6 (UNI) The 14th anniversary of the demolition of the disputed structure at Ayodhya passed off peacefully, amid scaled up security and clashes between the BJP and the UPA allies in Parliament.

Seventeen workers of the Hindu Mahasabha were arrested near the site at Ayodhya and Babri Masjid Action Committee said they will abide by the court's verdict.

Hindu and Muslim organisations marked the day in differing manner in various parts of the country.

In Ayodhya, 17 workers of the Hindu Mahasabha, who were going to perform 'parikrama' of the Ram Janmabhoomi complex were taken into police custody.

In Faizabad, Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) convenor Zafaryab Jilani told UNI over telephone that Muslims would respect the court judgement on the Ayodhya issue, even if the verdict went ''against the community.'' ''For some reasons, if the court judgement goes against the cause of the demolished Babri Masjid, Muslims would respect and follow the verdict,'' he added.

Mr Zafaryab Jilani criticised the Samajwadi Party-led Uttar Pradesh government for failing to get trial of one of the Ayodhya demolition cases transferred from Rae Bareli to Lucknow.

The BJP exhorted the Muslim community to help in the construction of a grand temple at the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi complex. Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Katiyar said in Ayodhya that by assisting in the construction of a Ram temple, Muslims would spread the message of brotherhood.

''Like every year, this time also the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) is observing the 14th anniversary of the demolition of the disputed structure as 'Shaurya Diwas'. But, there is no need for all this,'' the firebrand leader observed. He added that the need of the hour is to kickstart the temple movement.

In Mumbai, members of the Raza academy will submit a memorandum to Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna, demanding reconstruction of the demolished portions of the mosque and immediate implementation of the Srikrishna Commission report.

Members of the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath (TNTJ), led by state president P Jainulabdeen, today staged a noisy demonstration in Chennai, demanding the immediate handover of the disputed site in Ayodhya to Muslims.

A report from Coimbatore said about 1,100 people belonging to Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TNMMK) and TNTJ were arrested in Pollachi, Mettupalayam and Tirupur in the district as they were protesting the demolition of the structure.

Police also arrested 757 Hindu Munnani workers from Pollachi and Tirupur when they tried to hold a demonstration demanding the immediate construction of Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned till tomorrow following uproar on the disputed structure.

Earlier the Lok Sabha witnessed two adjournments -- first till 1200 hrs and then again till 1400 hours-- while the Rajya Sabha was also adjourned once on the same issue.

Elaborate security arrangements were made on the 14th anniversary of the demolition of the disputed structure.

All meetings, conferences and speeches were banned within the 1,500 metre radius of the makeshift temple 'Ramlala'.

UNI TEAM PA RP RAI2017