50-year-old man dies in Bantwal polling booth after casting his vote

Mangaluru, Aug 3: As part of precautionary measures in the region during Bhoomi Pujan in Ayodhya, prohibitory orders under Section 144 will be imposed under the limits of Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate. 

The Section 144 will be in force from 8 p.m. on Tuesday (August 4) to 6 a.m. on Thursday (August 6)

Sources said that the city police commissioner Vikash Kumar Vikash has taken this step following reports about possibility of protests in Mangaluru during Bhoomi Pujan.  

The top cop has warned of stringent action against those who violate the prohibitory orders.

Shivamogga, Aug 5: Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa on Wednesday hailed the laying of foundation stone (bhoomi pujan) for a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya and said "Kashi Vishwanath and "Krishna Janmasthan temples have to be liberated".

"It is a good day that the foundation stone for Ram Temple has been laid. A beautiful temple will come up, but there are Kashi Vishwanath and Krishna Janmasthan temples which have to be liberated," Eshwarappa said.

The minister said that there is a "sign of slavery" at Krishna temple in Mathura and Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.

"The whole nation is dreaming of Shri Krishna temple in Mathura and Kashi Vishwanath temple. I have visited the two temples. 

There is a sign of slavery. Mosques are there at holy places. When I visited the place at Mathura, I witnessed the wall. When we look at the wall, we feel like we are still slaves," he said.

"While visiting Kashi, there is also a structure of slavery. Dream of Hindus is fulfilled in Ayodhya. One day, it will be fulfilled in Mathura and Kashi. Mathura Sri Krishna and Kashi Vishwanath will be freed and temple will be built," Eshwarappa added.

The Places of Worship Act, enacted in 1991, says that religious character of a place of worship existing on the August 15, 1947 shall continue to be the same as it existed on that day. The Act kept Ayodhya case out of its purview.