Govt bans bulk SMS & MMS ahead of the Ayodhya - Babri Masjid Case

Worried over circulation of provocative statements and wild rumors ahead of the Ayodhya title suit verdict, the government earlier announced that it has banned bulk SMS and MMS across the country for the next 72 hours, however now that Supreme Court has postponed the verdict till 28th September, this ban is also like to be shifted around the said date.

The decision has been taken by the ministry of telecommunications and information technology in consultation with the home ministry and orders have been issued to all telecom service providers to impose the ban.

Fearing that hasty pronouncements of ‘victory’ by either side on the day of the verdict could lead to inflaming passions across India, home minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday pointed out that there perhaps would not be an absolute loser or winner as it could be a complex judgment which involves four title suits and various issues.

The home minister said the verdict could be instantly challenged, even by an oral application before the high court, for moving the Supreme Court.

He also called upon all organizations to ask their members not to spread rumors or make provocative statements.

“I would appeal to all parties to the suits as well as the general public and the media to reserve their opinions on the judgment or judgments of the special bench and not make any hasty pronouncements,” Chidambaram said.

He added: “ No one needs to have any apprehension, we can by working together, ensure that there is peace, order and harmony”.