A 55-year-old man from Kashmir, identified as Ahmed Sheikh of Shopian district, was detained at the Ram Mandir complex in Ayodhya on Friday after allegedly attempting to offer namaz and raising slogans when stopped, officials said.
According to sources, Sheikh entered the high-security temple premises and, after visiting the shrine, reportedly sat near the Sita Rasoi area to offer prayers. Security personnel intervened immediately, detaining him and later handing him over to local police for questioning. Some sources claimed the man raised slogans when stopped.
Sheikh’s family, however, stated that he was mentally ill and provided medical records from the psychiatry department of Srinagar Medical College to substantiate their claim.
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Police and intelligence agencies are investigating Sheikh’s intentions, travel details, and whether anyone else was involved. Preliminary checks reportedly found items such as cashews and raisins in his possession, and the man allegedly told investigators that he was travelling to Ajmer.
Senior police officers and intelligence officials are reviewing security arrangements at the temple complex in the wake of the incident. The district administration and the Ram Temple Trust declined to comment.
The episode comes ahead of Makar Sankranti celebrations next week, which are expected to draw large crowds, and prior to the second anniversary of the Ram Temple consecration on January 22.
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