Today we are going to read about What is Ayodhya Dispute?

The Ayodhya Dispute has shaped India’s politics for the last 30 years. But the dispute is much older, the first case filed in 1885. The Hindus want a Ram temple on the 2.7-acre land, where the Babri Masjid was built in the 16th century. The fight has played out for decades, both in courts and on the streets alike. The standoff has frequently escalated and led to the demolition of the mosque in 1992.

There are 50 parties in the case but only three claimants to the land. The Allahabad High Court divided land into 3 equal parts between 2 Hindu sides and one Muslim side.

  • The Hindu Side:
    The deity, Ram Lalla Virajman, represented by Trilok Nath Pandey and Nirmohi Akhara, a monastery of Ram devotees.

  • Representing the Muslims:
    The Sunni Waqf Board and the Shia Waqf Board.

The Sunni Waqf Board has spearheaded the demand for a mosque since 1961. The Sunni Waqf Board wants the mosque restored and rights to manage it. The Shia Waqf Board has backed the Hindu demand for a temple. The Shia Waqf Board wants a mosque on another site. Bagur, the Mughal ruler who built the mosque, was from the Shia sect, not Sunni.

Meanwhile, the Hindu side is divided too. Both Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla’s want a temple and its management rights. The Hindu sides do not want the government’s interference in the temple. As of now, the Central Government owns the land.

The Supreme Court has to decide:

  • Who among the three has rights over the land?
  • Is the partition of the land as decided by the HC valid?
  • Can Lord Ram’s birthplace be considered a separate entity with rights?

Timeline of Ayodhya Case

  • 1528: Mughal king Babur’s general Mir Baql builds Babri Masjid at the site
  • 1853: First instances of religious violence noted at the site
  • 1859: Inner portion of the courtyard fenced off for use by Muslims. Hindus allowed use of outer area
  • 1885: Mahant Raghubar Das requests construction of temple for Lord Ram on the land next to the mosque. Das files suit asking permission to build Ram temple in the inner courtyard
  • 1949: Idols of Ram Lalla appear under the central dome of the mosque
  • 1984: VHP forms committee to build temple in honor of Ram Lalla. Lal Krishna Advani heads campaign
  • 1986: District judge’s order to unlock gates to allow Hindus to worship in the structure. Babri Mosque Action Committee created against the directive.
  • 1989: Four suits regarding the dispute transferred to the High Court
  • 1990: L.K. Advani takes out Rath Yatra, but he is arrested before he can reach city. Karsevaks attempt to damage mosque
  • 1991: BJP led state government in UP acquires some land so that Hindu devotees can see Ram Lalla and offer their respects
  • 1992: On December 6, a mob tears down Babri Masjid leading to massive inter-communal riots that killed over 2000 people

Supreme Court’s Decision

The Supreme Court has given its verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case.

According to the decision:

  • The disputed land will be given to the Hindus.
  • The Muslim side gets 5 acres of land anywhere else in Ayodhya.
  • The central government will form a trust.
  • The trust will build the temple and manage the rest.
  • The central government will decide the land to be given to the Muslim side in the next 3 months.

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