Rama Navami: Ayodhya Celebrates Ram Navami; High Alert Across States Amid Security Concerns and New Waqf Row

Ram Navami is being celebrated with grandeur in Ayodhya, where lakhs of devotees have gathered to witness the grand festivities. A special ‘Surya Tilak’ of Ram Lalla is scheduled at the Ram Mandir. The celebrations began at 9:30 AM with the Shri Ram Janmotsav, followed by Abhishek and Shringar rituals. Over two lakh diyas will be lit during a grand Deepotsav for the first time in Ayodhya on Ram Navami.To ensure security, water drones have been tested to spray Saryu river water on devotees. Meanwhile, high alert has been declared in multiple states including West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra. Given past incidents of violence in West Bengal during Ram Navami, the Mamata Banerjee government has deployed Rapid Action Force, cancelled police leaves, and stationed top officers across 10 sensitive districts.Simultaneously, a political row has erupted over the new Waqf Amendment Act, which received presidential approval recently. It aims to curb misuse of Waqf properties and mandates female representation on Waqf Boards. However, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board has called for nationwide protests from April 11. Opposition leaders in Bihar are using the issue to mobilize Muslim voters, while BJP remains firm on the legislation.