New Delhi: The roots of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir issue can be traced back to 1853 when religious violence erupted over the site of the Babri Masjid. Constructed in 1528 by Mughal emperor Babar, the site became a focal point of contention as the Nirmohis, a Hindu sect, claimed the existence of a demolished Hindu Mandir during Babur’s era. British intervention in 1859 led to the partitioning of the site, granting Muslims access to the mosque while allocating the outer court for Hindu use. The seeds of discord were sown, setting the stage for decades of legal battles and social unrest.

In 1949, the controversy took a new turn when idols of Sri Ram surfaced inside the Babri Masjid. Legal petitions were filed, with one seeking permission to worship the deity and another advocating for the mosque’s preservation. The government’s response was to lock the site, allowing priests to conduct daily rituals but closing the gates to the public. This marked the beginning of a prolonged legal struggle over the control and fate of the disputed land.

In 1961, a significant development occurred as a petitioner filed a suit pleading for the restoration of the property to Muslims. The Sunni Central Waqf Board joined the legal battle, declaring the Babri Mosque as its property. This legal manoeuvring set the stage for a protracted legal dispute over the rightful ownership of the contested site.

The 1980s witnessed the emergence of a committee led by the Vishva Hindu Parishad party (VHP) with the ambitious goal of “liberating” the birthplace of Sri Ram and constructing a Mandir in his honour. This marked the formalisation of efforts to build the Ram Mandir and added a religious and political dimension to the longstanding dispute.

In 1989, the VHP took a decisive step by initiating the construction of a Ram Mandir on the land adjacent to the Babri Masjid. Legal battles ensued, with a case filed for the relocation of the mosque. The Rath Yatra of 1990, led by LK Advani, galvanised public support for the temple construction, but it also sparked political tensions, ultimately leading to Advani’s arrest.

The turning point in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir saga occurred on December 6, 1992, when the Babri Mosque was demolished by karsevaks in the presence of leaders from Shiv Sena, VHP, and BJP. This act of destruction ignited communal riots across the nation, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread condemnation. The event left an indelible mark on India’s socio-political landscape.

In 2003, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted a survey at the disputed site, revealing evidence of a significant Hindu complex beneath the mosque. However, these findings were contested by Muslim organisations, intensifying the debate over the historical interpretation of the site.

The legal saga reached a milestone in 2010 when the Allahabad High Court delivered its judgement, dividing the disputed land into three parts. One-third was allocated to Ram Lalla, represented by the Hindu Mahasabha, one-third to the Islamic Waqf Board, and the remaining third to the Nirmohi Akhara. This decision prompted further legal challenges, as both the Hindu Mahasabha and the Sunni Waqf Board approached the Supreme Court.

In 2011, all three parties—the Nirmohi Akhara, Ram Lalla Virajman, and Sunni Waqf Board—appealed against the Allahabad High Court verdict. The Supreme Court stayed the order, maintaining the status quo and indicating the need for a comprehensive resolution to the long-standing dispute.

On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court issued a historic verdict, ordering the transfer of the disputed 2.77 acres to a trust for the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. Simultaneously, the court directed the government to allocate an alternative five acres of land to the Sunni Waqf Board for the construction of a mosque. This landmark judgement provided a legal foundation for the construction of the Ram Temple.

The journey culminated on August 5, 2020, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Ram Temple. This symbolic event marked the beginning of a new chapter, bringing closure to decades of legal battles, political manoeuvring, and social unrest.

As the consecration of Ram Lalla approaches on January 22, 2024, the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya becomes a historic moment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with key dignitaries, will preside over the ceremony, signalling the realisation of a long-cherished dream for millions of devotees.

In the tapestry of India’s history, the Ayodhya Ram Mandir stands as a symbol of faith, legal intricacies, political aspirations, and communal harmony. The journey from 1528 to 2024 reflects the evolving dynamics of a nation grappling with its past, present, and future, and the Ram Mandir emerges as a testament to the resilience of India’s diverse cultural fabric.

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