The Ayodhya Verdict- Justice and Equality Restored? | Important Acts and Laws for Judiciary Exams PDF Download

Ayodhya Dispute Overview

The Ayodhya Dispute, a nearly 500-year-old case dating back to 1528, involves a contentious history between the construction of a Mandir (temple) and a Masjid (mosque). The Honorable Supreme Court aimed to restore lasting peace and tranquility through its judgment.

Historical Background

• During the East India Company era, the Masjid was believed to have been built by Emperor Aurangzeb after demolishing a temple dedicated to Ram, sparking Hindu-Muslim riots between 1853 and 1859.
• To quell the unrest, the British government partitioned the area: the inside portion for Muslims and the outside for Hindus, leading to the first court case in 1885 when Mahant Raghubir Das sought to build a roof for worship.

Title Cases

In subsequent years:

• 1950: Mahant Ram Chandra Das filed for Hindus' right to worship.
• 1959: Nirmohi Akhara sought possession of the area.
• 1961: Sunni Waqf Board claimed ownership of the Babri Masjid site.

Demolition of the Babri Masjid

• In September 1990, BJP Leader Minister Lal Krishna Advani initiated a pilgrimage procession from Somnath, Gujarat, to Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, to garner support for the movement.
• Advani's actions led to increased tension, riots, and his arrest in Bihar.
• On December 6, 1992, a large group of Kar sevaks attempted to attack the mosque in Ayodhya.
• The BJP withdrew support from the VP Singh government in protest of Advani's arrest.
• The Liberhan Committee was appointed to investigate the demolition, with the Congress government proposing a plan for a temple, mosque, library, and museum on the disputed land.
• The Allahabad High Court formed a bench in April 2002 to decide on the land's ownership, with the Archaeological Survey of India finding evidence of a temple beneath the mosque.
• The Allahabad High Court's landmark judgment in September 2010 divided the disputed land among Ram Lalla Virajman, Nirmohi Akhara, and Sunni Waqf Board.
• Various parties appealed against the decision in the Supreme Court, leading to a stay on the Allahabad High Court verdict in May 2011.
• The Supreme Court began hearings on the case in January 2019, eventually forming a bench of five judges.
• After a mediation panel submitted its report, a 40-day hearing took place in the Supreme Court from August to October.
• Both Nirmohi Akhara and Sunni Waqf Board presented arguments regarding possession of the land, emphasizing historical events and legal claims.
• The Supreme Court reserved judgment and requested parties to submit their claims for relief.

Supreme Court Verdict

• The Supreme Court overturned the Allahabad Court's decision to divide the land into three parts, deeming it an incorrect judgment as it wasn't requested by any involved party.
• Based on historical evidence, the Supreme Court concluded that Hindus had been worshipping in the outer area of the disputed land since 1857, establishing their claim to the site.
• Muslims were restrained from offering Namaaz at the site since December 23, 1949, when a murti was placed in the mosque, depriving them of their worship rights in their 400-year-old mosque.
• Utilizing its authority under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court ruled that the 2.77 acres of land of the Babri Masjid site would be given to Ram Lalla Virajman, while the Sunni Waqf Board would be provided with an alternate 5 acres of land by the Central or State government for constructing a mosque. Both parties were to receive their respective lands simultaneously.
• The Supreme Court declared that the Nirmohi Akhara was not a shebait or a devotee of the deity Ram Lalla, and their suit was time-barred.
• The Supreme Court rejected all 18 petitions seeking a review of the verdict issued on December 12, 2019.
• The decision aimed to ensure a peaceful resolution considering the consequences, maintaining India's unity and secular fabric for the future.