Ayodhya issue: Ram Janmabhoomi and Babri Masjid dispute
The Supreme Court of India has announced that it would wrap up all the hearings related to Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute by October 17 this year. Does this mean the resolve is near? It’s still not sure. But before someone asks you about the issue, here’s more about it so you answer them with confidence.
Now we all know that Babur came to India in 1956 and defeated Ibrahim Lodhi. It’s said that one of his generals built a mosque in Ayodhya and named it Babri Masjid as a tribute to his master. Now it’s for sure that the mosque was built on the demolition site of a temple. But there is a debate whether the temple was destroyed to build the mosque or it was already demolished and the mosque was built on the ruins.
The Mosque was constructed with huge campus where both Hindus and Muslims could worship under a single umbrella which means Muslims inside the mosque and Hindus outside the mosque but inside the compound. Complicated huh? Wait for it.
1853: It was first time when incident of communal violence was recorded during the reign of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh. People who represented the Hindu community stated that the mosque was built after the demolition of Hindu temple.
1859: The British government built a fence that separated the places of worships which means the inner court to be used by Muslims and the outer court by Hindus.
1885: Mahant Raghubir Das filed plea in Faizabad district court seeking permission to build a canopy outside the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid structure. Court rejected the plea.
1949: Idols of Ram Lalla (Lord Ram) were placed under a central dome outside the disputed structure.
1950: Gopal Simla Visharad files suit in Faizabad district court for rights to worship the idols of Ram Lalla.
1959: Nirmohi Akhara became a contender for the possession of the site.
1981: UP Sunni Central Waqf Board filed suit for possession of the site.
November 9, 1989: The then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi allowed the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to perform Shilanayas (laying of foundation stone) near disputed area.
December 6, 1992: Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid structure demolished by VHP workers and Karsevaks.
This led to nationwide riots between Hindus and Muslims in which thousands were killed and lost their homes.
2003: The Archaeological Survey of India in its survey said that there is evidence of temple on the basis of stone columns and pillars that might be representation of Hindu, Buddhist or Jaina elements.
September 30, 2010: The Allahabad High Court in its judgement says that the disputed land be divided into three part: one-third part goes to Ram Lalla (Under representation of Hindu Mahasabha); one-third to the Islamic Waqf Board; and the remaining third to the Nirmohi Akhara.
The parties reach Supreme Court which would continue to hear the case till October 17. Would it give a judgement acceptable to all the parties? Only time will tell.
Ayodhya at Saryu river
Demolition of Babri Masjid
The plan of the compound
Location
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