The Ayodhya dispute has been ongoing trail since 1992 where Hindus believe that the spot on which the Babri Masjid stood was the place where Rama was born. The temple was thought to be demolished by one of the Muslim rulers and was replaced with a mosque thus giving birth to riots.
Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, is expected to deliver the final Ayodhya verdict before his retirement on November 17. As the dates are approaching people are seen holding their breath for the final call. The prohibitory order has been extended to December 28 “victory celebrations” and “mourning processions” have been banned and all kinds of restrictions have been put under the order.
The CJI is also to meet the Chief Secretary and the Director-General of Police (DGP) to ascertain the state’s preparedness in the run-up to the supreme court verdict on the Ayodhya dispute. The CJI will be meeting them in order to ensure that the law and order remain intact.
What is the Ayodhya dispute?
Ayodhya is a place in Uttar Pradesh which is identified as the birth capital of lord Ram, which is according to the Ramayana. The Hindu’s believe that an ancient temple stood at the birthplace to mark the birthplace. The temple was built and later it was demolished in 1528 by the first Mughal emperor Babur who later built a mosque- Babri Masjid. The masjid was later demolished by Kar sevaks on December 6, 1992. Now, the question of who owns the land remained blurred ever since the dispute.
The legal history of Ayodhya dispute
An official of the Faizabad in 1822 claimed that the mosque stood on the site of a temple. Later, the court dismissed the suit. Some Hindus in 1949, placed idols of Ram inside the disputed structure which led to growing communal tension. The authorities seized the mosque. Both Hindus and Muslims groups filed separate claims over the site and the stricture.
After 37 years the gates of the Babri Masjid was opened in 1986 as ordered by the Faizabad district judge. The Rajiv Gandhi government allowed shilanyas at the site. The VHP laid the foundation of a Ram temple on land next to the Babri Masjid.
LK Advani began his rath yatra for Ram temple on Dec 6, 1992, when the kar sevak arrived in Ayodhya leading to clashes. In the same year, the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid structure was demolished. The Allahabad HC on the other hand in a 2:1 majority ruled three-way division of disputed area between Sunni Waqt Board, The Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. All parties approached SC and got it stayed.
In Sept-Oct 2019, the SC heard appeals for 40 days and reserved judgment and the orders will be pronounced before CJI Ranjan Gogoi retires on November 17.