The remarks come amid delays in Dhannipur Mosque construction, raising fears of renewed communal polarisation
AYODHYA — Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and one of the central figures of the Ram Temple movement, Vinay Katiyar, has ignited fresh controversy by calling for Muslims to leave Ayodhya.
Speaking to reporters, Katiyar said, “Muslims should cross the Saryu River and vacate Ayodhya. They can go and live in Gonda or Basti district. Ayodhya is the city of Lord Ram and there is only Ram Mandir here.”
His remarks come at a time when Ayodhya, long seen as a flashpoint of communal tensions, has remained largely peaceful since the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict allowing construction of the Ram Temple and allocating land in Dhannipur for a mosque.
Following the Supreme Court’s judgement, Muslims in Ayodhya and across the country publicly accepted the ruling. Despite deep disappointment, there were no reports of violence or protests. Many leaders described this acceptance as a gesture to maintain communal harmony.
However, Katiyar’s statement has unsettled the atmosphere. A Muslim resident of Ayodhya told mediapersons, “We accepted the Supreme Court’s judgement because we value peace. Now senior leaders are telling us to leave our own city. What kind of justice is this?”
The Supreme Court mandated that Muslims be given land to construct a mosque in Dhannipur village, near Ayodhya. The land was handed over, but construction has faced multiple hurdles. Recently, the mosque’s proposed design was rejected by authorities, further delaying the project.
Political observers say Katiyar’s remarks are timed to exploit these delays. A local social activist said, “The BJP wants to keep the Ayodhya issue alive. First, they built the Ram Temple, now they are politicising the mosque to create fresh divisions.”
Opposition parties have strongly condemned Katiyar’s comments. A Samajwadi Party leader said, “The statement is unconstitutional. Ayodhya belongs to all Indians. No one has the right to tell Muslims to leave their homes.”
Congress leaders also called for accountability. “Such remarks openly challenge the Supreme Court’s decision and threaten communal peace. The BJP leadership must clarify whether they support this dangerous rhetoric,” a Congress spokesperson said.
Ayodhya residents fear that the statement could reopen old wounds in a city that has seen some of the most violent communal clashes in India’s history.
A shopkeeper near Hanuman Garhi temple said, “We have lived side by side for generations. These statements create unnecessary tension. People want peace, not division.”
As construction of the Ram Temple moves swiftly while the Dhannipur mosque project faces repeated roadblocks, Katiyar’s comments are being seen as an attempt to marginalise Muslims further in a city already marked by religious politics.
