The Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute

The Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute is a long-standing religious and political issue in India, centered around a site in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, which is believed by Hindus to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, a major deity in Hinduism. The dispute has its roots in the 16th century but became a significant national issue in the 20th century.

Historical Background:

1. 1528: The Babri Masjid (Mosque) was constructed by Mir Baqi, a commander of the Mughal emperor Babur, in Ayodhya. Hindus claim that the mosque was built after demolishing a temple marking the birthplace of Lord Ram.

2. 1853: The first recorded violent conflict over the site occurred between Hindus and Muslims.

3. 1859: The British colonial administration erected a fence to separate the places of worship, allowing the inner court to be used by Muslims and the outer court by Hindus.

4. 1949: Idols of Lord Ram appeared inside the mosque, allegedly placed there by Hindus. Both parties filed civil suits, and the government declared the premises a disputed area and locked the gates.

 Legal and Political Developments:

1. 1980s: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other Hindu nationalist groups began a campaign to build a Ram temple at the site. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) later took up the cause.

2. 1986: A district judge ordered the gates of the mosque to be opened, allowing Hindus to worship inside, which escalated tensions.

3. 1990: The BJP leader L.K. Advani began a Rath Yatra (chariot journey) to mobilize support for the temple construction, leading to widespread communal riots.

4. 1992: On December 6, a large mob of Hindu Kar Sevaks (volunteers) demolished the Babri Masjid, leading to nationwide communal riots that resulted in over 2,000 deaths.

Legal Battles:

1. 2002: The Allahabad High Court began hearings to determine the ownership of the disputed site.

2. 2010: The Allahabad High Court ruled that the land should be divided into three parts: one-third to the Ram Lalla Virajman (the deity Lord Ram), represented by the Hindu Mahasabha; one-third to the Sunni Waqf Board; and one-third to the Nirmohi Akhara, a Hindu religious denomination.

3. 2011: The Supreme Court of India stayed the High Court's verdict after appeals from both Hindu and Muslim groups.

Supreme Court Verdict (2019):

1. November 9, 2019: The Supreme Court of India delivered a unanimous verdict, awarding the entire disputed land (approximately 2.77 acres) to the Hindu parties for the construction of a Ram temple. The court also directed the government to allocate an alternative 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for the construction of a mosque.

2. The Court's Reasoning: The judgment was based on archaeological evidence, historical accounts, and the continuous Hindu worship at the site. The court acknowledged that the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 was illegal but ruled in favor of the Hindu parties based on the evidence of continuous possession and worship.

Aftermath and Recent Developments:

1. 2020: The Government of India formed the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust to oversee the construction of the Ram temple.

2. August 5, 2020: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ram temple in Ayodhya, marking the beginning of its construction.

3. 2024: The construction of the Ram temple is ongoing, with the temple expected to be completed by 2025. The site has become a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus.

The resolution of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute by the Supreme Court in 2019 marked a significant moment in India's history, bringing closure to a contentious issue that had fueled religious tensions for decades. The construction of the Ram temple and the allocation of land for a mosque are seen as steps towards reconciliation, though the issue remains sensitive and symbolic of the broader Hindu-Muslim relations in India.