Commonwealth Games: Fears of temple-dispute violence ease

Fears that a landmark court ruling in India could spark nationwide sectarian violence, in turn compromising Commonwealth Games security, have abated.

Security has been pegged as the No 1 priority for the 71 nations who are about to compete in the Commonwealth Games. The fear was largely due to the threat of terrorist attacks from extremists and those fears would have risen in anticipation of Thursday's ruling.

The Allahabad High Court ruled on Thursday on a 60-year-old ownership dispute of a temple in Ayodhya. The ownership of the temple - built by a Mughal Emporer at the birthplace of Hindu deity Lord Ram - has effectively been split into thirds between two Hindu groups and a Muslim interest group.

The dispute is a potential tinderbox in a country where the merest spark is required to stir up hostility between followers of the two major faiths. It was revealed that more than 200 police were diverted from their Commonwealth Games duties on Thursday to potential hotspots in Delhi.

While feeling is running high, it appears the fear of large-scale rioting has passed.

That is significant news for Commonwealth Games organisers who have enjoyed their most productive week since being awarded the sporting festival seven years ago.

With seemingly robust security in place from the airport to hotels. the biggest danger to athletes' health is likely to come from mosquito-borne dengue fever.

The mosquitoes seem to increase in number and ferocity as the day lengthens. There remains a vigorous spraying programme taking place around the village and venues.

After intervention from the Government, the village that had caused so much consternation in recent weeks has been given a tentative clean bill of health. Embattled Delhi Organising Committee boss Suresh Kalmadi is now bullishly eyeing an Olympic bid.

"This is our opportunity and the Commonwealth Games will help," he said.

Befitting what has become the Commonwealth Games 18th sport, Kalmadi made a late play for the gold medal in buck passing, saying the shambolic state of the village just a week out from tomorrow's opening ceremony was due to the Delhi Development Authority and Emaar MGF, the land owner and the builder, respectively, for engaging in a dispute that delayed the handover of the buildings to the OC.

With the Commonwealth Games now in a fully fledged battle for the hearts and minds of sports fans here with the India-Australia test cricket series, which started in Mohali yesterday, the opening ceremony cannot come quickly enough.

The ceremony is expected to be played out in front of a 60,000 crowd, including Prince Charles, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. It will incorporate seven segments - the swagatam, or welcome song; rhythm of India; great Indian journey; yoga; Rajasthan puppets; celebrations; and the knowledge tree.