The Ayodhya district administration, on the 19th of October, banned television channels from holding debates in public places regarding the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi case.
After the Supreme Court (SC) concluded the final hearing of the case on the 16th of October and constituted a panel for the mediation process, the case further became a sensitive matter.
Besides, the Ayodhya district administration also restricted television channels from inviting litigants of the Ayodhya case for debates.
Anuj Kumar Jha, the Ayodhya District Magistrate, said, “Television channels have been banned from holding debates in public places in Ayodhya as this may disturb peace and cause communal unrest. We have implemented prohibitory orders in Ayodhya.”
However, Jha said the administration did not issue any official notice regarding the same and urged the news channels and the media to be accurate while reporting the Ayodhya case.
Arun Kumar Jha said, “Under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC,) assembly of four or more persons at a time at a place is banned. However, if any television channel wants to hold a debate, it can do so in private premises with prior permission of the magistrate.”
He further clarified the banning of debates is not going to affect the news channels and websites in terms of reporting the case.
Speaking about the reason to ban debates, Murli Dhar Singh, the Deputy Director of Information, said, “We did it because during such debates if there is any untoward incident with the litigants, then there will be a huge problem. So we have asked the TV channels not to invite any litigant of Ayodhya case.” He further said, “We have also warned TV channels not to comment on any religion or community. If anything wrong happens then the applicant will be held responsible.”
The Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute is a long standing issue for a piece of land in Ayodhya. The Babri Masjid was built in 1528 on the orders of the Mughals. In 1992, it was broken down by a few Hindu activists, who believed Ram was born in the same spot where the Masjid was built. Since then, both the Hindus and the Muslims are trying to reclaim the same piece of land.
The panel constituted by the Supreme Court is working on the mediation process and will soon submit a report to the SC.
The final verdict regarding the case is expected to be announced before the 17th of November, as the Chief Justice of India (CJI,) Ranjan Gogoi, is going to retire on the 17th of November.
Stay tuned for further updates.
