THE AYODHYA RAM MANDIR CASE
THE AYODHYA RAM MANDIR CASE
INTRODUCTION
The Ayodhya dispute was a political, historical, and socio religious debate in India. The dispute that stretches back more than a century is one of the thorniest court cases and had its presence in almost every political statement that was made. The dispute was over a plot of land and who stands to be called as the rightful owner of it.
FACTS OF THE CASE
The mosque on the disputed land, the Babri Masjid was demolished during a political rally and resulted in a riot across the country. Following land title case was lodged in the Allahabad High Court and the court ruled that the land should be equally divided between the Hindu Mahasabha , Sunni Waqf Board and Nirmohi Akhara. Although the three-judge bench was not unanimous that the disputed structure was constructed after demolition of a temple but it did agree that the temple structure predated the mosque at the same site. The judgment was not accepted whole heatedly and for the same appeal was made in the Supreme Court.
ISSUES OF THE CASE
The issue revolved around the control of the land which was regarded among Hindus as the birthplace of their deity Rama. It also questioned the history, location of the Babri Masjid at the site and whether a previous Hindu temple was demolished or modified to create a mosque. The question of ownership of Nirmohi Akhara was also brought infront of the court.
JUDGMENT OF THE CASE
The Supreme Court gave its verdict that the land should be handed over a trust to build the Hindu temple. It further ordered the government to give an alternate 5 acres of land to the Sunni Waqf Board for the purpose of building a mosque. The court further stated that the Nirmohi Akhara is not a devotee of the deity Ram and the suit related to it was barred by limitation.
