VARANASI: Life is returning to normal in this ancient city, after the March 7 twin bomb blasts that killed 20 persons and injured 125.

An uneasy calm descended on the city where in a show of solidarity, all sections, cutting across religious and social affiliations, observed a bandh and took out peace marches on Wednesday.

Though intelligence agencies were warning of the possibility of a terrorist strike, the threat to the Kashi Vishwanath temple — abode of one of the 12 jyotir lingams in the country — was more pronounced. The Uttar Pradesh Government focussed on Ayodhya and Mathura. In October last, CRPF men foiled a terrorist attack at Ayodhya. Five Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were gunned down before they could do any harm.

Political leaders from all parties made a beeline for the Sankat Mochan temple, where a deadly blast occurred on Tuesday. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, who visited the city on Wednesday, said the Government would not tolerate any let-up in the probe and security. Black flags were waved at his motorcade in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) area.

Sonia's assurance

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, accompanied by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, paid an unscheduled visit late on Tuesday night and assured the people that the Centre would not let anyone harm the socio-cultural fabric and peaceful atmosphere of the city.

Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were quick to announce yet another "rath yatra.'' This is seen as an exercise to woo its vote bank. Political observers say Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati's visit was an attempt to berate her arch political rival — the Samajwadi Party of Mr. Yadav. Pradesh Congress chief Salman Khurshid also visited the city on Thursday.

BJP leaders Murli Manohar Joshi and Vinay Katiyar went to the Sankat Mochan temple, accompanied by their supporters, who raising their fists shouted slogans "Jai Sri Ram'' and "Har Har Mahadev.'' But their visit hardly enthused the people.

In a spontaneous move, BHU students, led by Hemant Kumar Yadav, marched to the temple. They reiterated their resolve to fight terrorism.

Youth Congress activists took out a "march for communal harmony'' through the busy streets. They carried placards and raised slogans of Hindu-Muslim-Sikh-Isai unity and brotherhood.

Hordes of BHU students as well as volunteers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh participated in blood donation camps. There was no shortage of blood in the hospitals at BHU Kabir Chaura, where the people injured in the blasts are being treated.

Cleric's appeal

Abdul Batin Nomani, Mufti-e-Banaras, a respected cleric, issued appeals for maintaining peace and communal harmony. "My appeal is also to all sections of the people and political leaders to refrain from making our city the boxing arena for settling political scores and deriving political mileage from such tragic incidents,'' the Mufti told The Hindu at his residence near Azad Park.

"Hindus and Muslims here are dependent on each other. Both communities have lived in perfect harmony and enjoyed cordial relations. If weavers are Muslims, traders are Hindus. Their economic bonds are very strong and they share a remarkable trust. This fabric should not be harmed by anyone,'' Mufti Batin Nomani said.

Chief priest condoles

loss of lives

Similar sentiments were expressed by Sankat Mochan Temple Foundation's chief priest, Veerbhadra Mishra, who lamented the loss of lives in the terror attack.

He said such attacks would change the security scenario, and even religious places would be turned into police strongholds, restricting the free movement of devotees.

Prof. Mishra said the foundation itself would maintain security inside the 16th century temple.

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