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Harmony Post-Ayodhya Verdict

Ayodhya was an age old problem which created social tension among Hindus and Muslims. It was a hurdle in effective integration between the two religious groups. The place where Babri mosque is located was claimed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram which created social unrest. Ayodhya verdict and measures by government ensured that the centuries old matter is solved and effective social integration took place.

  • A five-judge Constitution bench on November 9, 2019 ruled that the entire 2.77 acre disputed land in Ayodhya to be handed over to a trust to be constituted for the construction of the Ram temple. By this the Supreme Court overturned the 2010 verdict of the Allahabad High Court, which divided the land between the Nirmohi Akhara, RamLalla Virajman and the Sunni Central Wakf Board.

Timeline of the Babri Mosque Case

  • 1528- Babri Mosque is built under the rule of the first Mughal king, Babur.
  • December 23, 1949- The idols of the Lord Rama are placed inside the mosque and the government declares Babri Mosque a “disputed property”.
  • 1990- L.K. Advani, launched rath yatra to build a Ram temple in the place of the mosque.
  • December 6, 1992- Mob destroyed the mosque. Riots broke out which killed about 2000 people.
  • September 2010- Allahabad High Court ruled that the disputed site to be trifurcated between Ramlalla Virajman, Nirmohi Akhara and Sunni Central Wakf Board.
  • May 2011- Supreme Court suspends the High Court ruling.
  • March 8, 2019- Supreme court sets up mediation for an out-of-court settlement.
  • August 2, 2019- Mediation failed.
  • November 9, 2019- The Supreme Court ruled that entire disputed land must be handed over to a trust to oversee the construction of a Hindu temple. Separate land to be given by government in Ayodhya to construct mosques.

Supreme Court Findings

  • Babri mosque was built on a non-Islamic structure.
  • The Court said that Muslim parties failed to establish exclusive possession of disputed land.
  • Desecration of mosque in 1949 and destruction on 6 December 1992 constituted a serious violation of the law.
  • Hindus have established continued possession of outside courtyard.

Prime Minister’s Address

  • PM said that the SC judgment on Ayodhya issue is no one’s win or loss. He lauded the spirit of unity and togetherness shown by the nation.
  • PM said that amicably solving a dispute with the due process of law is the sign of a mature democracy.
  • PM said that be it Ram Bhakti or Rahim Bhakti, it is imperative that we strengthen the spirit of Rashtra Bhakti.

Peace and Harmony Prevailed

  • Since precautionary measures were taken, no violence was reported after the judgment.
  • The maturity of the people of India and its democracy was reflected in the response.
  • This showed the mirror to all those who doubted India’s ability to resolve longstanding disputes amicably.
  • Dispute between the two communities was resolved peacefully, thus the two threads of the Indian society are now more closely knit.
  • Government is required to frame a scheme to give Muslims a piece of 5 acres of land to build mosque in Ayodhya.