Thousands of police patrol Indian town

Thousands of police were patrolling the northern Indian town of Ayodhya today to prevent violence on the ninth anniversary of the demolition of a 16th century mosque.

The destruction of the mosque by Hindu nationalists in 1992 triggered fierce clashes between Hindus and Muslims that killed 2,000 people across India.

Hindu nationalist leaders claim the mosque in Ayodhya, 350 miles east of New Delhi, was built by Mogul rulers after demolishing a Hindu temple. They believe the site is the birthplace of Hinduism’s supreme god, Ram.

A Supreme Court ruling bars any construction at the site until the dispute is resolved.

In New Delhi, the opposition today blocked parliamentary proceedings demanding the resignation of Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani and other ministers who were part of the crowd that pulled down the mosque.

The ministers have denied involvement in demolishing the mosque, although they were present there when it was levelled.

In 1992, Advani’s Bharatiya Janata Party was the governing party in Uttar Pradesh state where the mosque was located. At the time, it was the main opposition group in parliament in New Delhi.

Parliament was adjourned until tomorrow amid noisy exchanges between the governing and opposition politicians.

Tension is mounting in Ayodhya following an announcement by Hindu nationalists that they will start building a temple on the site if the government does not resolve the issue by March 12.