Kashmiri man attempts to offer namaz inside Ayodhya's Ram Mandir complex, detained

Ram Temple in Ayodhya

• Kashmiri man detained for allegedly trying to offer namaz in Ram Mandir
• Police and intelligence agencies are questioning him to determine his motive
• The 55-year-old has been identified as Ahmed Sheikh, a resident of Shopian

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A man from Kashmir was detained after he allegedly tried to offer namaz inside the Ram Mandir complex in Ayodhya. When security personnel intervened, he began raising slogans.

The man has been identified as Ahmed Sheikh, a resident of Kashmir's Shopian district. According to officials, the 55-year-old entered the high-security temple complex on Friday, visited the shrine, and later sat near the Sita Rasoi area, where he was allegedly getting ready to offer namaz.

Upon noticing his actions, security personnel immediately intervened. The man was detained by temple security staff who later handed him over to the local police for questioning.

When security personnel intervened, Sheikh reportedly shouted slogans.

Police said the man is being questioned by investigating and intelligence agencies to determine his motive. Officials are also examining his travel history, including the purpose of his visit to Ayodhya and whether any other individuals were connected to the incident.

The Kashmiri man reportedly told the investigating team that he was travelling to Ajmer in Rajasthan. Police have only found some dry fruits (cashews and raisins) from his belongings.

Following the incident, senior police officials and intelligence agencies are assessing the security measures in place at the Ram Mandir complex.

The district administration and the Ram Temple Trust have not issued any statement on the matter so far.

Meanwhile, the Ayodhya administration on Friday banned the delivery of non-vegetarian food items within a 15-km radius of the Ram temple. The move follows repeated complaints about online food delivery platforms supplying non-veg items in areas marked under the 'Panchkosi Parikrama'.

"Following the complaints, the ban on online non-vegetarian food delivery has been imposed. All hotels, shopkeepers and delivery companies have been informed, and continuous monitoring will be conducted to ensure compliance," Assistant Food Commissioner Manik Chandra Singh told news agency PTI.