Ayodhya: A man from Kashmir who is identified as Ahmed Sheikh has attempted to breach the high-alert security encircling the Ayodhya Ram Mandir and offer Namaz in the temple premises. The act was immediately noticed by the security officials and Ahmed Sheikh was arrested by the temple security and was later handed over to the local police. Reports claim that the Muslim man even raised slogans such as “Nara-e-takbir”, “Allahu Akbar”, when the security personnel rushed to arrest him. It is said that Ahmed Sheikh entered the temple from Gate D1.
The 55 year old Ahmed Sheikh, a resident of the Shopian district in Kashmir attempted to enter the Ram Mandir complex and offer Namaz amidst heightened security and other stringent entry protocols on January 9, Friday. He sat near the Sita Rasoi area of the Ram Mandir complex and was preparing to offer Namaz which was instantly noticed by the security personnel, thus he was arrested. The local police and the intelligence officials are currently investigating the provocative and inflammatory episode and the root cause or intention behind the actions of Ahmed Sheikh are being interrogated. Meanwhile, two other men dressed in the traditional Kashmiri attire have also been detained by the police and are interrogated. These two men are said to be selling garments near the temple and attempted to flee the site as Ahmed Sheikh was arrested.
The security officials are also investigating the travel route, plan and other details of Ahmed Sheikh and are tracing whether are there any specific links to the man. Whether Ahmed Sheikh has any other companions or alleged involvement by any other individuals in the epsiode are also being investigated. Is the Namaz in the premises of the Ayodhya Ram temple pre-planned or voluntary in nature is also being investigated. During the preliminary investigations, the police personnel have found cashews and raisins in possession of Ahmed Sheikh.
As per the reports, Ahmed Sheikh has informed the police that he was travelling to Ajmer. In the wake of the this episode, police are also reviewing the security apparatus of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir and are on high-alert. The district administration is also fully vigilant and is undertaking measures to further tighten the security. However, they have not released any official statement regarding the episode as of now. Meanwhile, the conduct of Ahmed Sheikh who aimed to offer Namaz in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir premises, is seen as a clear sign of religious intolerance with least respect for the religious sanctity and other protocols that have to be followed in the temple.
