The grand construction of Ram Temple in place of Babri Masjid is near completion and the high profile inauguration is scheduled for 22 January, igniting every Hindutva heart with joy and merriness. Pictures of the sacred construction are flooded in the social media, with Ram Bhakts or Devotees of Lord Ram feeling satisfaction and proud over scars of the hard battle they have fought for this day.
Though there are definitely several reasons to go head over heels for the grand inauguration, the high priority fuel remains the legal fight ensued for decades coming to an end, notwithstanding the devoted feeling of Ram Lalla returning home.
This presents the best opportunity to go down the memory lane and peek into the old and dusted files of the most prominent case of the Indian Judiciary History; the case of Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid Dispute.
The Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid Dispute, also known as the Ayodhya Dispute, is a prominent case in the Indian Judiciary. The demolition of Babri Masjid in December 2016 intensified the case, with its final judgment given in 2019. The judicial system is the third pillar of democracy, providing justice to people, in this case, it provided to Lord Ram’s devotees after the long battle fought for decades.
The Ayodhya Dispute, a complex legal case involving the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple-Babri Masjid, has been resolved through various legal processes, from the District Court to the Supreme Court. The case, which began in 1853, has been passed through various courts, including the High Court and the Supreme Court, and has been resolved through various legal measures, including the final verdict by a five-judge Constitutional Bench in 2019.
Case Description: Ram Janmabhoomi
Babri Masjid, a 16th-century mosque in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram by many Hindus. This has led to disputes over land ownership. The current legal dispute arose from a 1949 Faizabad court order. On December 22, a set of Hindu idols was placed under the Babri Masjid dome, causing a law-and-order situation. On December 29, 1949, a Faizabad court placed the site under the state’s custodial responsibility to control communal tensions. The Additional Magistrate directed the site to be placed under the receivership of the Municipal Board.
.jpg)
Ram Janmabhoomi’s rightful manager, Nirmohi Akhara, filed a title suit in 1959, claiming ownership of the organization.
The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Board of Waqfs filed a suit in 1961, claiming possession of the mosque from the Sunni Waqf Board.
Deoki N. Agarwal filed a suit on behalf of Lord Ram in the Allahabad High Court in 1989, moving all prior suits to the High Court.
The Allahabad High Court, after the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992, divided the Ayodhya title into three equal parts, awarding it to the Nirmohi Akhara, Lord Ram, represented by Triloki Nath Pandey, an RSS volunteer and Vishva Hindu Parishad functionary. The Supreme Court upheld the Allahabad High Court judgment in 2011. In 2018, a three-judge bench ruled that a Constitution Bench could continue hearing the matter but rejected a Constitution Bench due to Faruqui’s dissenting opinion. Chief Justice Misra retired in 2018, and Chief Justice Gogoi reassigned the dispute to a five-judge Constitution Bench. The court began mediation, hearing final arguments from various Hindu parties, and reserved judgment before Gogoi’s retirement.
The argument that Babri Masjid was constructed by destroying a temple was rejected by the Supreme Court.
The Archaeological Survey of India’s report on the site did not provide evidence for this, the judges concluded. Two intertwined contentions drove the Ramjanmabhoomi movement three decades ago. The first was religious: supporters claimed that the central dome of the Babri Masjid in the Uttar Pradesh town of Ayodhya marked the exact spot where the Hindu god Ram had been born. The mosque was built on the Ramjanmabhoomi or birthplace of Ram in Hindi, they insisted—a point closely examined in both the Allahabad High Court in 2010 as well as Saturday’s Supreme Court judgment in the Ayodhya case.
The Supreme Court ruled that the ASI identified a temple in Central Asia dating back to the 12th century, four centuries before the arrival of the first Mughal emperor, Babur and that no evidence could explain the events over four centuries.
Ram Janmbhoomi: narration beyond facts
The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of building a temple at the Babri Masjid, a landmark in India. This decision was seen as a vindication of arguments that the temple was built after a 16th-century demolition. KK Mohammed, a former member of the Archaeological Survey of India and a supporter of the Ramjanmabhoomi movement, argued that the court had concluded that the temple was a magnificent one and should be rebuilt. Analyst Shantanu Gupta argued that the court’s decision set a “500-year-old wrong.”
The Supreme Court has dismissed the Ram Janmabhoomi movement’s claim that the Babri Masjid was built after a temple was destroyed. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a key driver of the movement, plans to continue claiming other mosques were built after temple destruction. The Ram Janmabhoomi movement, which had been successful in causing nationwide hysteria for 30 years, continues to believe the Babri Masjid was built after a temple was destroyed, despite the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the claim.
Opening of Ram Mandir: Govt undertakes Ayodhya redevelopment project
The Ayodhya Development Authority is preparing for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple, a significant event in the city’s history. The authority is focusing on adorning key routes leading to the temple with terracotta fine clay mural artifacts, inviting applications to engage potential agencies through a Request for Proposal. The city is also undergoing a “rejuvenation process” to prepare for January 22, to showcase significant episodes from the Ramayana period.
Ayodhya, a city known for its heritage and contemporary vibrancy, is set to be transformed into an open-air gallery by ADA officials. The planned design, construction, and installation of terracotta artworks and murals along the Dharma Path Road will not only enhance the city’s charm but also serve as cultural guides, bridging the gap between the sacred past and the complex present. The murals are expected to attract pilgrims and travelers seeking spiritual peace, fostering understanding and unity among those who encounter them.
Comments 4