Introduction:
- The Ayodhya dispute has revolved around the Babri Mosque and the disputed land, causing prolonged contention.
Construction of Babri Mosque (1529):
- Mir Baqi cons1984: Ram Janmbhoomi Movement Begins:tructed the Babri Mosque in 1529.
1885-1949: Legal Battles Begin:
- Legal disputes started in 1885 when Mahant Raghubir Das filed the first suit for building a temple on adjacent land.
- Various Hindu and Muslim parties filed suits over the years.
Dec 1949: Ram Idol Appears:
- On December 22, 1949, a Ram Idol appeared inside the mosque, leading to the government declaring it a “contested area.”
1950-1959: Hindu and Muslim Suits:
- Suits filed in Faizabad Court seeking permission for Hindu pujas and possession of the land.
- Court granted permission for pujas but ordered inner courtyard gates to remain locked.
- The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) initiated the Ram Janmbhoomi Movement in 1984, led by LK Advani.
1986: Inner Gate of Babri Mosque Opened:
- Faizabad District Judge ordered the unlocking of the inner gate, allowing Hindu “pooja and darshan,” sparking controversy.
1989-1992: Escalation and Demolition:
- PM Rajiv Gandhi allowed VHP’s Shilanayas near the disputed area in 1989.
- Escalation led to the violent demolition of the Babri Mosque on December 6, 1992.
1993-1994: Acquisition Act and Ismail Faruqui Judgment:
- Government acquired 67.7 acres through the Acquisition of Certain Areas at Ayodhya Act, 1993.
- Supreme Court upheld the Act’s constitutionality in the Ismail Faruqui judgment, drawing criticism for its stance on the mosque’s significance.
2002-2010: Legal Proceedings:
- Ayodhya Title Dispute case began in 2002.
- Allahabad High Court’s 2010 judgment divided the land among Sunni Wakf Board, Nirmohi Akhara, and Ram Lalla Virajman.
2011-2019: Supreme Court Intervenes:
- Supreme Court stayed the High Court ruling in 2011, suggesting an out-of-court settlement in 2017.
- The court started hearing appeals in 2017, with brief mediation in 2019.
Conclusion:
- The Ayodhya dispute, entangled in historical, religious, and political complexities, has been a prolonged legal and social challenge.
- The Supreme Court’s interventions and judgments have been pivotal in addressing this contentious issue
SOURCE – THE HINDU
READ MORE- AYODHYA DISPUTE