Streets lined with posters of Shiv Sena, VHP events

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Many religious ‘ akharas’ have turned into debating venues to discuss the issue of temple

◗ The ‘ dharam sabha’ is being touted as the largest congregation of ‘ Ram bhakts’ in Ayodhya since the 1992 ‘ kar seva’

Lord Ram and the slogan “Chalo Ayodhya” dot the roads.

At many places, passersby can see small trucks carrying projectors and a screen to showcase Ramayana, a famous 1986 TV series.

The VHP has claimed that three lakh people, including seers, will attend its dharam sabha to be held at Bade Bhakt Mal Ki Baghia, not far from the controversial Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas- run workshop, where work for building a temple has been underway since 1990.

Posters of the VHP mega event and Sena proclaiming “Chalo Ayodhya” compete with each other to grab eyeballs of residents, even as rhetoric takes centre stage in the pilgrim town. From Ram ki Paidi to main market areas, huge hoardings have been put up, some in front of parks, bus stands and other public places.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, who arrived here ahead of Sunday’s VHP rally for a Ram temple, on Saturday asked the Narendra Modi government to wake up from a “Kumbhakarna- like slumber” and declare the date for its construction.

Amid a growing chorus for construction of a Ram Temple, the Sena leader has also urged the government to bring legislation, or an ordinance, for building the temple.