Ayodhya fever grips India, Court to seal fate today

THE SITUATION is tough, so is the call. India's long pending and probably one of the most controversial cases, awaits the final verdict today at 3:30 pm by the Special Bench of the Allahabad High Court. The Ayodhya verdict, which is slated to decide the fate of the controversial has put the nation in a thrall.

Within a day, Uttar Pradesh has been turned into a fortress with thousands of paramilitary forces keeping pace with time so as to ensure that peace prevails. Statements made by Dr Manmohan Singh are a sure shot insight to the verdict. Dr Singh said the way the country handles this, the aftermath, will have a profound impact on the evolution of our country albeit numerous trouble mongers have been arrested and several others have signed an affidavit that gives the government relief for the time being.

Other than Uttar Pradesh, southern states like Kerala, Karnataka have been put under alert as they have been identified as sensitive areas among many others. Hundreds of thousands of security personnel have been deployed across places of public congregation which includes railway stadiums, bus stands and places of worship. A contingent reserve of 35,000 personnel have been asked to pad up, if situation calls for action in the sensitive states.

Acting under anticipation, numerous IT and ITES companies have shut down their activities. Educational institutions have been shut down as well till the situation mellows down or until its decided safe.

Read More >> Babri Masjid Issue, Ayodhya verdict

Ayodhya verdict: Home Minister calls for cooperation

UNION HOME Home Minister, P. Chidambaram in a statement on Wednesday appealed to the people to receive the judgement of the Special Bench of the High Court of Allahabad with respect and equanimity, and to maintain peace and harmony.

The Home Minister said that the delay of six days has proved to be an unintended benefit, adding that it has given an opportunity to a number of parties, groups and individuals to reiterate that they will respect the verdict of the Court.

Chidambaram further said that many other organisations connected with the Ram Janmabhoomi – Babri Masjid dispute have also affirmed that they would respect the judgement of the Court and seek to advance their cause, if so advised, only in accordance with law. Many common citizens have also spoken or written in favour of a judicial resolution of the dispute. All these are helpful signs that peace and harmony will prevail in the wake of the judgement, he added.

The Home Minister further said that the Central Government has taken adequate measures and has deployed adequate security forces all over the country in order to assist the State Government to maintain law, order and peace.

Read More >> Babri Masjid Issue, Ayodhya Verdict

Diksha Ohri

 

Diksha Ohri

Read More >> http://www.merinews.com/cj/diksha_ohri30

Airtel Champions League T20 teams to miss key players

AMIDST THE match fixing drama being played out in international cricket, the Airtel Champions League is all set to give the fans some respite from unsavoury allegations and dish out some top quality cricket. With hardly a week to go for Champions League T20 to begin, the teams have started to land in South Africa but they are also suffering a peculiar handicap as some of the key players will be missing in action due to various reasons.

The Central Stags from New Zealand landed in Johannesburg Thursday evening while the matches get underway from next Friday. On the first day of the tournament, Mumbai Indians will be pitched against Highveld Lions from South Africa at the Wanderers which is also Lions' home turf.

However, Stags will be devoid of their two important players, Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram. Taylor has opted to play for his IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore while Oram is recuperating an injured knee. Central Stags being the New Zealand champions has previously won HRV Cup,  when with the help of Taylor they managed to crush Auckland. Taylor had smashed 80 off 30 balls. Stags play against IPL-3 winners Chennai Super Kings at Kingsmead in Durban.

Stags are the second team that has arrived in South Africa after Mumbai Indians. The latter have been put up in Durban.

Post the spot fixing scandal that has taken the cricketing world by storm, the Indian IPL franchises are under a lot of pressure as they were not able to put up a good show in the previous versions of this tournament. Royal Challengers Bangalore will miss key players like Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan and same goes with Chennai Super Kings as they will have to face the opponents without Andrew Flintoff.

On the more glamorous front, Champions League T20 roped in Indian mega star Amitabh Bachchan as their brand ambassador. The promotion has already created a stir amongst the people and they cannot stop raving about it.