The historical saga of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is a tapestry woven with the threads of
faith, legal battles, political movements, and social transformations. The story begins in 1529 when the Babri mosque was constructed by Mir Baqi during the reign of the Mughal emperor Babur. Little did anyone anticipate the events that would unfold centuries later, shaping the destiny of this sacred site.
In 1885, Mahant Raghubir Das took the first legal step by filing a plea in the Faizabad district court seeking permission to build a canopy outside the Babri Masjid structure. Unfortunately, the court rejected his plea, marking the initial legal hurdle in the long-standing dispute over the site.
The turning point came in 1949 when idols of Ram Lalla were mysteriously placed under a central dome outside the disputed structure. This event laid the foundation for legal battles that would span decades. In 1959, the Nirmohi Akhara filed a suit seeking possession of the site, and in 1961, the Sunni Central Waqf Board filed a similar suit, deepening the legal complexities surrounding the disputed area.
The socio-political landscape witnessed seismic shifts in the early 1990s. On September 25, 1990, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani launched the Rath Yatra from Somnath in Gujarat, advocating for the construction of a Ram Mandir at the disputed site. This event galvanized sentiments and set the stage for the unfortunate incident that followed.
On December 6, 1992, the Babri Masjid was demolished by Karsevaks, leading to widespread communal tensions and a rupture in the secular fabric of the nation. The aftermath saw the enactment of the 'Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Act' on April 3, 1993, allowing the Centre to acquire land in the disputed area.
Legal pronouncements further shaped the narrative. On October 24, 1994, the Supreme Court, in the historic Ismail Faruqui case, declared that the mosque was not integral to Islam. This verdict added a legal dimension to the dispute. In subsequent years, the judiciary continued to play a crucial role. On March 13, 2003, the Supreme Court, in the Aslam alias Bhure case, prohibited any religious activity at the acquired land, solidifying the status quo.
Fast forward to January 8, 2019, when Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi utilized his administrative powers to list the matter before a 5-judge constitution bench, overturning the September 2018 judgment. This move paved the way for a new chapter in the legal proceedings.
March 8, 2019, witnessed a surprising development as the constitution bench ordered court-monitored mediation, despite objections from key parties. The mediation process, set to end in mid-May 2019, aimed to explore possibilities for an amicable resolution.
On October 22, 2024, the much-anticipated day arrived. The consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, symbolizing the culmination of a journey marked by legal battles, socio-political movements, and religious sentiments. The ceremony echoed the resilience of the Indian judiciary and the ability of the nation to navigate through complex historical disputes, offering a glimpse into a future where faith and harmony coexist.
For further reference read this article here.
Allow us to bolster your preparation, book your interview slots here.
Comments