Thursday, March 14, 2002, Chandigarh, India
 Updated at 3:00 am (IST)

SC orders status quo in Ayodhya
Declines permission to hold bhoomi puja, shila daan

New Delhi, March 13 Rejecting the Centre’s proposal for a symbolic puja in Ayodhya on Friday, the Supreme Court today ordered that no religious activity of any nature be allowed at the acquired land and status quo be maintained there.

Factfile   Refers case to larger Bench   Pulls up govt on symbolic puja   Issues notices to Centre, UP Govt, VHP, others   Status quo to be maintained   Centre restrained from transferring undisputed land In video (28k, 56k)

•  Muslim leaders hail verdict

RJN, VHP plan to go ahead
Ayodhya, March 15
Unfazed by the Supreme Court verdict, the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas and the VHP today asserted that they would go ahead with the Shila (fabricated stone) offering ceremony at the make-shift Ram Lalla Temple.
In video (28k, 56k)

In video:  Hindu activists vow to reach Ayodhya to take part in a prayer ceremony for the construction of Ram temple. (56k)

VHP threatens to launch satyagraha Editorial: Honour the verdict The police on strict vigil outside Ramsevak Puram in Ayodhya as security is beefed up after the Supreme Court verdict on Wednesday. — PTI photo

Vajpayee govt suffers blow
Opposition elated over verdict
New Delhi, March 13
The BJP-led NDA government suffered a debilitating blow today with the Supreme Court rejecting its plea for either a symbolic “bhoomi puja” or any kind of religious activity in Ayodhya on Friday to avoid any escalation of the situation.
In video (28k, 56k)

Allies unhappy over govt stand
New Delhi, March 13
Even as the Vajpayee government came in for a lot of flak over its stand in the Supreme Court favouring ‘bhoomi pujan’ at the undisputed site by its own allies, there appears to be no immediate threat to the National Democratic Alliance dispensation.

Jaitley clarifies govt stand
Oppn stalls Parliament proceedings
New Delhi, March 13
The Vajpayee government was at the receiving end in both Houses of Parliament over its plea to the Supreme Court to allow a symbolic “bhoomi puja” at the undisputed land in Ayodhya.

India rejects Sattar’s offer to visit Delhi
New Delhi, March 13
India today rejected Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar’s offer to visit New Delhi for talks on an extradition treaty between the two countries.

Sekhon removed as Southern Command AOC-in-C
New Delhi, March 13
Air-Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command, Air Marshal Manjit Singh Sekhon, was today removed from his present posting for taking recourse to extra constitutional methods to promote his career in the AF.

Avtar Henry joins Cabinet
Chandigarh, March 13
Mr Avtar Henry joined the Punjab Council of Ministers after the Governor, Lt-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), administered the oath of office and secrecy to him at a simple but largely attended ceremony at Punjab Raj Bhavan here this afternoon.

Haryana imposes 20 pc ST on online lotteries Rs 202 crore deficit in Budget Chandigarh, March 13 Haryana has imposed 20 per cent sales tax on the “online” lottery to bring it on a par with the “paper” lottery. This was revealed by the Finance Minister, Prof Sampat Singh, while presenting the Budget for 2002-2003 in the Vidhan Sabha here today. Haryana page: Budget lacklustre, says Hooda