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Article: Indian Ayodhya holy site a flashpoint for Muslim, Hindu politics.
- Article from:
- Chicago Tribune (Chicago, IL)
- Article date:
- February 15, 2002
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Chicago Tribune. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Kim Barker
AYODHYA, India_To see the spot revered as the birthplace of the Hindu god Ram, visitors must shed their shoes, handbags and pens. They are searched four times as they walk through a maze of fences guarded by 500 soldiers. Only then can they look at the temple, which is really just a white tent on a wooden frame. Security is so tight, visitors are not allowed inside.
Ayodhya, home to this temple, means "place of no conflict." Yet it has become one of the most volatile spots in India, a flashpoint between Hindus and Muslims in which both sides see the other as terrorists and themselves as victims.
Almost a decade ago, a Hindu ...