Kashmiri man detained over ‘attempt’ to offer namaz at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir; family claims mental illness

A 55-year-old man from Kashmir, said to be mentally ill, was detained here on Saturday after he allegedly attempted to offer namaz inside the Ram Mandir complex and raised slogans when stopped, officials said.

According to Superintendent of Police (Security) Balramchari Dubey, the man has been identified as Ahmed Sheikh, a resident of Shopian district in Jammu and Kashmir.

Police said Sheikh’s family has claimed that he is mentally ill and has shared medical records from the psychiatry department of Srinagar Medical College as evidence.

“We didn’t know anything about it. He is totally unsound,” Sheikh’s son, Imran, told reporters at their residence in Shopian when asked about the incident.

When asked why Sheikh visited Ayodhya, the son said, “He had visited his in-laws’ place five to six days ago. He keeps leaving and does not stay at home”.

Imran said his father is mentally unsound, and keeps visiting mosques.

The neighbourhood came to know about the incident after police teams reached Sheikh’s home for an enquiry into the incident. A neighbour said Sheikh is mentally unsound and is taking medicines.

“Had he been of sound mind, he would not have prayed inside a temple. He would have known it is a temple. He often leaves home like this. He doesn’t understand that he has a family to care for,” the neighbour said.

The official said the accused entered the temple premises during the day, visited the shrine and later sat near the Sita Rasoi area, allegedly preparing to offer namaz.

Security personnel noticed his actions and intervened immediately, following which he was detained by temple security staff and handed over to the local police. Some sources claimed that the man raised slogans when he was stopped, he added.

Investigators are questioning the man to ascertain his intent and are also verifying his travel details, including the purpose of his visit to Ayodhya, and whether anyone else was involved, the official said.

During preliminary checks, police found items such as cashews and raisins in his possession. Police sources said the man told investigators that he was travelling to Ajmer.

Senior police officers and intelligence agencies are also reviewing the security arrangements at the Ram Mandir complex in the wake of the incident. The district administration and the Ram temple trust have so far declined to comment.