New Delhi :The Supreme Court of India today pronounced its verdict on the crucial Ram Mandir issue reviewing the 1994 verdict that held that a mosque was not an essential part of the practice of the religion of Islam.

“Ayodhya land dispute case will not be referred to a larger bench”, Justice Ashok Bhushan reading out judgment along with Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra.

All religions have to be respected equally by the State, said Justice Bhushan. Constitution bench judgement was confined to acquisition of land, Ashoka's edicts preach tolerance to faith of others Justice Bhushan added.

“Larger bench needs to decide what constitutes essential religious practice”, said Justice S Nazeer.

Supreme Court will begin hearing on Ayodhya matter from October 29, 2018 to decide the suit on merit.

A three-judge Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer heard an Ayodhya-linked case to review the 1994 Ismail Faruqui judgment. In 1994, a five-judge Supreme Court bench had ruled that a mosque was not an “essential part of the practice of the religion of Islam” and that namaz could be offered anywhere and hence, “its acquisition (by the state) is not illegal by the provisions in the Constitution of India”.

Dr Ismail Faruqui had lodged a petition challenging the validity of the Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Act, 1993, by which the Centre acquired 67.703 acres of land in and around the Babri Masjid.