Ayodhya: Senior BJP leader Vinay Katiyar has sparked controversy after urging Muslims to leave Ayodhya, reviving tensions in a city still healing from decades of conflict. Katiyar, who played a central role in the Ram Temple movement, told reporters that Muslims should “cross the Saryu River” and settle in nearby towns like Gonda or Basti, declaring Ayodhya solely the city of Lord Ram.
His remarks come despite the 2019 Supreme Court verdict that settled the Ayodhya dispute. The court allowed the construction of the Ram Temple while allocating land in Dhannipur for a mosque. Muslims across India accepted the ruling, prioritizing peace and avoiding violence, even while expressing disappointment.
Local Muslim residents expressed shock at Katiyar’s comments. “We respected the Supreme Court’s decision for the sake of harmony. Now we are being told to abandon our homes. Is this justice?” asked one resident.
The mosque project in Dhannipur has faced repeated delays, including the rejection of its proposed design, giving rise to suspicions that such setbacks are being politicized. A local activist said the BJP is keeping religious politics alive even after the temple’s construction.
Opposition parties condemned the remarks. The Samajwadi Party called them unconstitutional, insisting Ayodhya belongs to all Indians. Congress leaders warned that such rhetoric undermines communal peace and challenges the authority of the Supreme Court.
Residents of Ayodhya, including Hindus and Muslims who have lived side by side for generations, now fear renewed divisions. “We want peace, not division,” said a shopkeeper near Hanuman Garhi.
As the Ram Temple nears completion and the Dhannipur mosque project remains stalled, Katiyar’s comments risk destabilizing fragile trust in the city.
