Senior BJP leader Vinay Katiyar, known for his role in the Ram Temple movement, has sparked controversy by asking Muslims to leave Ayodhya. Speaking to reporters, he said, “Muslims should cross the Saryu River and leave Ayodhya. They can live in Gonda or Basti. Ayodhya is Lord Ram’s city, with only the Ram Mandir here.”
His remarks have caused unease in a city that has tried to maintain peace since the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict, which allowed the Ram Temple’s construction and allotted land in Dhannipur for a mosque. At that time, Muslims across India, including those in Ayodhya, accepted the ruling despite their disappointment. There were no protests or violence, showing a strong commitment to communal harmony.
Local Muslims say Katiyar’s words have shaken that calm. “We respected the Supreme Court’s judgment for peace. Now we’re being told to abandon our homes. Is this justice?” asked one resident.
The mosque project in Dhannipur has already faced delays, with its proposed design recently rejected. Political observers suggest Katiyar’s remarks may be an attempt to exploit these setbacks and keep Ayodhya’s religious politics active. “The BJP keeps Ayodhya’s religious politics alive. After the Ram Temple, they’re now politicizing the mosque issue,” a local activist commented.
Opposition leaders strongly condemned the statement. A Samajwadi Party leader said, “Ayodhya belongs to all Indians. No one can force Muslims out.” Congress also warned that such rhetoric threatens communal harmony and undermines the Supreme Court’s authority.
Residents, meanwhile, say they only want peace. A shopkeeper near Hanuman Garhi temple said, “We want peace, not division.” But with the Ram Temple nearing completion and the mosque project still on hold, Katiyar’s comments risk reopening old wounds in a city marked by past communal violence.
