Centre to UP govt: maintain status quo in Ayodhya

With Muzaffarnagar riots fresh in mind, the Centre has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to maintain status quo in Ayodha, where VHP has called for a ‘Sankalp Diwas’ rally, and prevent any attempt to flare up communal tension anywhere in the state. The home ministry has told the UP authorities to observe status quo in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya as per the Supreme Court directive and not to allow any gathering near the disputed area.

Senior officials of state government are regularly briefing central government officials about the prevailing situation in Ayodhya and gave conveyed that no congregation will be allowed near the site, official sources said. The UP government has also banned VHP’s ‘Sankalp Diwas’ rally, they said.