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Press Release
The Hindu Forum of Britain condemned the attempted suicide attack on the holy shrine of Lord Rama in Ayodhya by six militants disguised as Hindu pilgrims on 5th July 2005.
“This attack clearly highlights the fact that terrorism in the name of religion is a real threat to the security of peaceful countries,” commented Ramesh Kallidai, Secretary General of the Hindu Forum of Britain. “This is a direct attack on the Hindu ethos and should be dealt with appropriately by increasing security around the temple complex. We urge people of all faiths to maintain peace and harmony through these difficult times and let the rule of law deal with the situation.”
The heavily-armed terrorists had made an unsuccessful bid to storm the high-security Ram temple in Ayodhya and were killed by the security forces before they could strike at the holy shrine and destroy it.
Although no militant outfit has claimed responsibility, Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) is suspected to be behind it, security sources said.
“Terrorism in all its forms should be condemned,” said Rujuta Ruplekar, a spokesperson of the National Hindu Students Forum, a member body of the Hindu Forum of Britain. “We hope the Government of India will be firm against cross-border terrorism which has become a serious threat to the security of the country. We also hope that the UK Government will look at the real threat posed by such terrorism to peaceful countries like India.”
“Clearly, India has been the victim of terror many times over,” explained Arjan Vekaria, Chair of Hindu Forum’s Security Committee. “Hindu temples have specifically been targeted by terrorist groups from militant outfits operating from Pakistan and Kashmir. The West needs to pay serious attention to Indian security concerns just as much as it does to the Middle East.”
Immediately after the attack, a countrywide alert was sounded with police and security forces being asked to maintain intense vigil.
Jyotsna Thanki, President of the Hindu Council of Birmingham and Vice President of the Hindu Forum of Britain compared the attack to previous threats in Britain. “In 1992, over 21 Hindu temples were burnt down in Britain, and not a single culprit has so far been arrested. I hope that the Indian authorities are more successful in finding the source of the terror attacks at Ayodhya.”
The temple town of Ayodhya is the
birthplace of Lord Rama, revered and worshipped as God by one billion Hindus
in the world. Over two million pilgrims visit Ayodhya every year
and the city is dotted with hundreds of temples and monasteries. Historians
claim that the medieval Mughal Emperor Babar pulled down a sacred temple
that existed on the birth place of Lord Rama and constructed a mosque at
the same spot. In 1992, a make-shift Hindu temple was built at the same
spot to worship Lord Rama at his original birth place.
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