After seeing the bodies of ‘Ram devotees’ and ‘kar sevaks’ during the Ram Mandir movement, Ayodhya’s Shaheed Gali now takes on a ‘saffron’ look. People fully immersed in the celebrations of the upcoming Pran Pratistha ceremony have put up saffron flags, banners and posters to give the infamous street a festive look.

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News18 visited Shaheed Gali and interacted with people who not only shared the horror of the Ayodhya firing incident but also their plans to celebrate the ‘homecoming’ of Lord Ram.

“Such a grand celebration of Pran Pratistha will definitely bring to light the tragic past of Shaheed Gali. Lord Ram is coming, we will welcome him grandly. (Lord Ram is coming, we will give him a grand welcome)” said Someshwar Pandey, who lives in the street, clearly excited.

Shaheed Gali, the ordinary street from Digambar Akhara to Ram Janmabhoomi via Hanumangarhi, got its name after the firing on civilians by the UP Police on two days – October 30, 1990 and November 2, 1990 – following the Ram Rath Yatra. “Before the 1990 incident, it was like any other lane, but the firing incident made it a martyr’s lane,” Pandey said.

What happened in 1990?

On October 30, 1990, most of the Kar Sevaks reached Ayodhya on the call of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Shiv Sena. District administration officials said around 10,000 kar sevaks reached Ayodhya, against the deployment of around 28,000 Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). Santosh Dubey, a karsevak and an eyewitness, said, “As soon as the karsevaks entered the heavily guarded area, the security forces were alerted, following which the police opened fire, resulting in the death of several karsevaks who were marching in the lane. ” Event.

On November 2, 1990, the Kar Sevaks decided to reach the spot again. In retaliation, the police opened fire for the second time within 72 hours, resulting in the death of many people in Shaheed Lane.

“That 10-15 second confrontation is still clear in our memories. We had locked ourselves inside the house. And suddenly we heard gunshots which lasted for about 10-15 seconds, after which there was complete silence. She was killing silence,” said another local.

therapeutic touch

However, locals said the Pran Pratistha Utsav is a much-needed healing touch. Locals said, “Pran Pratistha Utsav will help the local people to overcome the tragic past.”

People also shared their plans to celebrate the event. “This will be a true Diwali for us. We will light earthen lamps and burst crackers to celebrate the day,” said Saurabh Pandey, a local resident.

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The entire street will be illuminated to pay tribute to those Ram devotees and kar sevaks who lost their lives and laid the foundation of this day.