Temple done, Ayodhya now wants Yogi govt to focus on more pressing issues — jobs, toilets

For most people in Ayodhya, sanitation is a big issue and they want the Yogi govt to address the problems at the earliest.

A file photo of a sanitation worker in Ayodhya | ThePrint

Ayodhya: With the Supreme Court ruling in favour of a Ram Mandir at the disputed site, local residents, especially the youth of Ayodhya, now expect the state government to look at more important issues — better infrastructure, jobs and toilets.

For the Yogi Adityanath-led government, the enormity of the task is evident across the town.

Along the Sarayu Ghat, where pilgrims often offer prayers, heaps of garbage, clogged drains, filth and human waste contribute to a persistent, ever-present stench.

While elderly men usually go about their routine of offering prayers at the ghat without complaining, the women and the young feel sanitation issues need to be addressed at the earliest. “We are happy that the temple is being constructed. (But) This also means that more tourists will now come to Ayodhya and that is why the government should now focus on making the city clean,” says Vipul Sharan, a flower vendor at the ghat.

“There is human excreta at the ghat and so many flies. So much garbage all around,” he adds. “This causes health issues but the elderly people don’t seem to understand. They have seen it like this all their lives and have accepted it this way.”

No toilets, hospitals, jobs

Beena Devi, who runs a tea stall in the area, tells ThePrint that there are no public toilets in the town because of which people defecate and urinate in the open. “Even the women go out behind the bushes, while the men sit at the ghats,” she says. “There should be a provision for toilets. We all know this but no one has ever raised such a demand. Even the government does not pay attention to it.”

A 17-year-old, who runs a shop of scented sticks, too, wants the government to now concentrate on creation of jobs. “There are not enough hospitals or schools here. Most children leave studies and start businesses with their families as they cannot afford to go out of the town to study,” he says. “If there are better schools, colleges and job opportunities, even Ayodhya will be at par with other major towns.”

Vijay Yadav agrees. “How many temples will they construct? It is now time to focus on the development of the town,” said Yadav, who works in a private firm. “Create jobs, better infrastructure and sanitation. That is the need of the hour. Mandir banate rahenge aur yeh nahin karenge toh kya fayda (If they keep building temples and do not do ensure any development, then what is the point?).”

Even a sanitation worker, de-clogging a drain in the area, has the same request for Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. “I request him to now focus on the cleanliness of the town. Look around and all you see is garbage,” he says. “Also, they should think about the welfare of sanitation workers. We have not been getting our salaries on time, there is no manpower or machines available to de clog these drains.”

Samir Khan, a resident of Shringar Haat, points out that not a single big industry or factory has been set up in the area for several years now.

“This is the reason why all educated youth are forced to migrate to other cities in search of better job opportunities,” he said. “If the government focuses on putting industries, it will generate employment and will be good for Ayodhya.”

“In this hue and cry over the Ayodhya dispute several important local issues involving basic facilities like road, electricity, water, medicine were pushed out of the discourse but now the government will have to focus on it,” he added.

A ray of hope

The Supreme Court’s verdict, however, has led to hope that Ayodhya can now attain the status of a major tourism hub, which will help create job opportunities.

Mahbub Ali, who runs a shop near Shringar Haat and sells idols of Hindu deities, believes another temple would mean more tourists, and more demand for idols. “We are happy. More of my idols will now be sold,” he said. “More workers will be needed to make them and both Hindu and Muslim families will prosper together.”

Javed, who lives in the Dharmkanta area of Ayodhya, said he could not find a suitable job in Ayodhya after completing his graduation and was compelled to migrate to Dubai, but he will move back if he gets employment here.

Javed’s friend Altaf Ansari, who runs a furniture business, hoped the focus will now shift to the issue of unemployment now that the mandir issue is now resolved.