By Ahmad Adil

CHANDIGARH, India

Thousands of Hindus nationalists on Sunday began to converge on the Indian town of Ayodhya to demand the construction of a temple at a site where 16th century Babri Mosque had once existed.

The latest event has triggered fresh tensions in Ayodhya city, with media reports claiming that several Muslims have left the area.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a right-wing group, had called a “Dharma Sabha” (religious congregation), in various parts of the country.

Security arrangement have been tightened in the town of Ayodhya -- former site of the historic Babri Mosque -- and the state government officials said additional security have been deployed at sensitive locations in the town to prevent any untoward incident.

The dispute over the site of the destroyed mosque in the ancient city of Ayodhya is a decades-old issue between Indian Hindus and Muslims which has resulted in thousands of deaths over the years.

In December 1992, Hindu extremists destroyed Babri Mosque, named after the Mughal Emperor Babur. The destruction prompted nationwide riots that left around 2,000 people dead.

Since then, Muslims have been calling for building of a new mosque at the site, while Hindus have been demanding a temple, claiming their divine Lord Ram or Rama was born there.

The case over the dispute has been languishing in India’s legal system for years without any final outcome. The Indian Supreme Court, which is hearing the case, has set the next date of hearing in January 2019.

The VHP leaders called on the government to announce the date of setting up a temple in Ayodhya.

“Today lakhs of devotees are meeting in different parts of country. We hope that today’s meeting will clear every obstacle (to build Ram Temple) in Ayodhya,” Vinod Bansal, spokesman for VHP told Anadolu Agency.

He said that the Hindus have been waiting for the courts to resolve the matter. “But, we will not wait anymore now.”

- Muslims ‘terrified’

Muslims living in Ayodhya are "worried and terrified" in the wake of the Hindu nationalists’ religious congregation.

Tasleem Rahmani, president of the New Delhi-based Muslim Political Council, told Anadolu Agency the call for construction of a temple has intensified ahead of the 2019 general election in the country.

“There is an atmosphere of fear among Muslims. We have received reports that Muslims are migrating in large numbers from city and adjoining villages,” Rahmani said.

He said that the mobilization of such a “mob” by Hindu outfits, may lead to a violation of the status quo.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is actually exploiting religion sentiments to get votes as the elections in five states have already been announced,” Rahmani added.

“Those Muslims living in Ayodhya are terrified since the past week,” said Zafaryab Jilani, convener of Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC) and a lawyer representing the Muslim side in Supreme Court.

He said they have asked Muslims in the town to come to Lucknow city, the capital of the Uttar Pradesh state.