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Faizabad commissioner refutes Singhal's claim

Sharat Pradhan in Ayodhya

Vishwa Hindu Parishad chief Ashok Singhal's claim that the Supreme Court order prohibited puja only on certain plots of the acquired land and not in other plots fell flat on Wednesday evening with the Faizabad Divisional Commissioner Anil Kumar Gupta categorically saying that he would not allow puja on any part of the acquired land.

The commissioner, who is also the official central government receiver for the disputed Ayodhya shrine, refuted Singhal's claim about Supreme Court not coming in their way for the proposed puja on March 15.

On his return from New Delhi, Gupta said, "The Supreme Court order is quite clear about maintaining status quo on the entire officially acquired 67 acres of land."

He said, "The court has clearly disallowed any religious activity on this land and there is no question of allowing anybody to violate the Apex Court's verdict."

When his attention was drawn to Singhal's insistent claim that the Supreme Court had barred puja only on plot numbers 159 and 160 as per the land revenue records that were part of the acquired 67 acres, the commissioner said, "Well, I am not supposed to make my own interpretations to the order issued by the country's top court."

About the oft-repeated claim of Ramjanmbhoomi Trust chief Ram Chandra Paramhans that he would go ahead with his shila daan (offering of a carved stone column), Gupta said, "I am the receiver for the disputed property, so I will have to take directions in this regard from the central government."

On being told that Paramhans was insisting on handing over his 'offerings' only to the receiver, Gupta said, "Let me clarify that offerings are to be received by the temple priest and not the receiver."

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