Decades old Ayodhya dispute of Ram Janma Bhumi and Babri Masjid came to an end today after the Supreme Court’s historic verdict
In a historic verdict, the Supreme Court (SC) of India, today, i.e., Saturday, November 9, 2019, paved the way for the construction of a Ram Mandir (a temple dedicated to Lord Rama) at the disputed site in Ayodhya.
The SC observed that the 2.77 acres of land parcel, where once existed the Babri Masjid, will be handed over to the deity ‘Ram Lalla’, who is one of the 3 litigants in the case. The other 3 litigants in the case were U.P. Sunni Central Waqf Board, Nimrohi Akhara and Shia Waqf Board.
The SC also ordered Central Government to form a Trust within 3 months, for the construction of Ram Mandir.
The SC has also directed the Central Government to allot 5 acres of plot at a prominent location in Ayodhya to Sunni Waqf Board, for the construction of a Mosque.
At the same time, The SC said that Nirmohi Akhara is not a ‘shebait’ of deity Ram Lalla, The SC also dismissed the Shia Waqf Board’s plea and held that the land belongs to the Government as per revenue records.
Pronouncing the order, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) – Ranjan Gogoi said, “The faith of the Hindus that Lord Ram was born at the demolished structure is undisputed.”
The 5-judge bench included Justice A.S. Bobde, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, Justice S. Abdul Nazeer and Justice Ashok Bhushan, other than CJI. The Court ruled unanimously by 5-0 after a marathon of 40-day hearing on the case, the second longest in the history of Supreme Court. The timing of the verdict gains significance as it comes before the CJI Gogoi retires on November 17, 2019.
Running into 1,045 pages, the order was reserved after the SC completed the hearing and reserved the order. It was only announced a night before on Saturday, i.e., November 8, 2019 that SC will pronounce the order on November 9, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. Prior to this, the SC had ensured that adequate measures have been taken to avoid any sort of violence and unrest in the country.
The verdict was pronounced on 14 appeals filed in the SC against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment, which rules to divide the disputed land equally between Ram Lalla, Nimrohi Akhara and Sunni Waqf Board. The Bench observed that the Allahabad High Court was wrong by resorting to partitioning of the disputed land in 3 parts.
The Bench mentioned that the faith of the Hindus that Lord Ram was born at the disputed site cannot be disputed. It also termed the 1992 demolition of the 16th century Babri Masjid mosque as a violation of law.
For the records, the fact has remains that there existed a temple before the construction of Babri Masjid at the disputed site. The same has already been established by a detailed report of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The Court said, “The history and culture of this country have been home to quests for truth, through the material, the political, and the spiritual. This Court is called upon to fulfil its adjudicatory function where it is claimed the two quests for the truth impinge on the freedoms of the other or violate the rule of law.”
READ THE FULL ORDER OF SUPREME COURT OF INDIA HERE
https://theindependent.in/wp-content/uploads/FULL-ORDER-OF-SUPREME-COURT-1.pdfAddressing the nation, the Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi has urged the people of India to honour the verdict of SC and maintain peace in the country.
Modi tweeted, “The Honourable Supreme Court has given its verdict on the Ayodhya issue. This verdict shouldn’t be seen as a win or loss for anybody. Be it Ram Bhakti or Rahim Bhakti, it is imperative that we strengthen the spirit of Rashtra Bhakti. May peace and harmony prevail!”
The Honourable Supreme Court has given its verdict on the Ayodhya issue. This verdict shouldn’t be seen as a win or loss for anybody.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 9, 2019
Be it Ram Bhakti or Rahim Bhakti, it is imperative that we strengthen the spirit of Rashtra Bhakti.
May peace and harmony prevail!
Another tweet read, “SC’s Ayodhya Judgment is notable because: It highlights that any dispute can be amicably solved in the spirit of due process of law. It reaffirms the independence, transparency and farsightedness of our judiciary. It clearly illustrates everybody is equal before the law.”
Talking about people’s faith in judiciary, Modi tweeted, “The halls of justice have amicably concluded a matter going on for decades. Every side, every point of view was given adequate time and opportunity to express differing points of view. This verdict will further increase people’s faith in judicial processes.”
The halls of justice have amicably concluded a matter going on for decades. Every side, every point of view was given adequate time and opportunity to express differing points of view. This verdict will further increase people’s faith in judicial processes.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 9, 2019
The Bench ruled that while the Ram Lalla has established their case that they were in possession of outer courtyard, the U.P. Sunni Central Waqf Board has failed to establish its case. The SC said the underlying structure below the disputed site at Ayodhya was not an Islamic structure.
The Bench added the extensive nature of Hindus worshipping at outer courtyard at the disputed site has been there. The bench said the existence of Sita Rasoi, Ram Chabutra and Bhandar Grih are the testimony of the religious fact of the place. The Bench also observed that however that the title cannot be established on the ground of faith and belief and they are only indicators for deciding the dispute.
Welcoming the SC’s verdict, the Chief Minister of U.P. – Yogi Adityanath, in a tweet, requested the people to respect the order of the Court. He tweeted, “माननीय सर्वोच्च न्यायालय के निर्णय का स्वागत है, देश की एकता व सद्भाव बनाए रखने में सभी सहयोग करें, उत्तर प्रदेश में शांति, सुरक्षा और सद्भाव का वातावरण बनाए रखने के लिए उत्तर प्रदेश सरकार पूर्ण रूप से प्रतिबद्ध है। “
माननीय सर्वोच्च न्यायालय के निर्णय का स्वागत है, देश की एकता व सद्भाव बनाए रखने में सभी सहयोग करें, उत्तर प्रदेश में शांति, सुरक्षा और सद्भाव का वातावरण बनाए रखने के लिए उत्तर प्रदेश सरकार पूर्ण रूप से प्रतिबद्ध है।
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) November 9, 2019
Expressing dissatisfaction over the verdict, the U.P. Sunni Central Waqf Board has decided to go for a review of the verdict. Speaking on the occasion, the Counsel for U.P. Sunni Central Waqf Board – Zafaryab Jilani said, “The Ayodhya verdict has a lot of contradictions. We will seek a review as we are not satisfied with the verdict.”
Asaduddin Owaisi – The President of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) said, “I am not satisfied with the verdict. The Supreme Court is indeed supreme but not infallible. We have full faith in the Constitution. We were fighting for our legal rights. We do not need five-acre land as a donation.”
On the other hand, the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Delhi – Syed Ahmed Bukhari has urged the Muslims of India to respect the Court’s verdict and not to stretch the matter further.
Speaking to media, Syed Ahmed Bukhari said, “We accept the court order and the Hindu-Muslim issue which had been going on several years should come to an end now.”
Besides, the Sarsanghchalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang (RSS) – Mohan Madhukar Bhagwat addressed the media, after the SC’s verdict. Praising the Bench for its verdict, he asked the people to maintain law and order in the country.
Bhagwat said, “It is time to put everything behind us and work together towards building a grand temple. I urge the people of India to maintain law and order.”
Talking about Nirmohi Akhara, Mahant Dharmdas said, “We have no regrets on this because we were batting for Ram Lalla. The court has accepted Ram Lalla’s side and with this, our motive was fulfilled.”
