Babri Masjid demolition: On December 6, the mosque in Ayodhya was demolished by ‘kar sevaks,’ who claimed that an ancient Ram temple stood on the same site. The Ram Mandir, which is being built at the Ram Janmabhoomi site and has been the subject of a decades-long legal battle, is at the heart of this development.
The Babri Masjid mosque stood on the site, but many believed it was built on the ruins of an old temple to commemorate the birthplace of Hindu God Ram. The simmering conflict erupted in the late 1980s, and on December 6, 1992, a mob of karsevaks (religious workers) demolished the 16th century mosque.
According to Hindu mythology, Rama was born in the city of Ayodhya. Mir Baqi, a Mughal general, built the Babri Masjid in the 16th century at a site identified by some Hindus as Ram Janmabhoomi, or Rama’s birthplace. According to the Archaeological Survey of India, the mosque was built on land that previously housed a non-Islamic structure.
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As the demolition of the Babri Masjid approaches its 30th anniversary, construction on the temple is already underway. Following the Supreme Court’s green light for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, it is expected that the temple will be completed and open to devotees by 2024.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has taken on the responsibility of building the Ram Temple.
6th December 1992: Today marks 30 years of the demolition of the Babri Masjid, one of the darkest chapters in Independent India.
This map shows the trail of destruction left behind by the Advani’s Rath Yatra from 15th September 1990 to 30th October 1990. All in the name of God. pic.twitter.com/oknqyCxmsp
— Advaid അദ്വൈത് (@Advaidism) December 6, 2022
30 years of Babri Masjid demolition:
Only in late 2019 did the Supreme Court bring the dispute to a close, ruling in favour of a temple on the site but also declaring that the demolition of the mosque was a crime and requesting that land for a new mosque be provided elsewhere in Ayodhya.
Work on that temple has begun, with a completion date of 2024, and the state government is developing other infrastructure in the town in anticipation of its completion, which will make Ayodhya one of the holiest places in the world for pilgrims. A new township, an industrial area, and even an airport are in the works.
And the shops that are being demolished are being done so in order to widen a major road.
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The Yogi Adityanath government has approved a total of Rs 1000 crore for three road widening projects in Ayodhya, including the Hanuman Garhi road, which leads to Ram Janmabhoomi.
The government hopes to complete the project by December 2023, when the Ram Mandir will open to devotees.
All displaced shopkeepers have received compensation from the government.
A timeline of Babri Masjid Demolition:
Mir Baqi, commander of Mughal emperor Babur, constructs the Babri Masjid in 1528.
1885: Mahant Raghubir Das petitions the Faizabad district court for permission to construct a canopy outside the disputed structure. The court dismisses the plea.
Ram Lalla idols were placed outside the disputed structure under the central dome in 1949.
Gopal Simla Visharad sues in Faizabad district court for the right to worship Ram Lalla’s idols. Paramahansa Ramachandra Das files a lawsuit to continue worship and keep the idols.
Nirmohi Akhara sues for possession of the site in 1959.
UP Sunni Central Waqf Board files a suit for possession of the site in 1961.
In February 1986, a local court orders the government to open the site to Hindu pilgrims.
Aug 1989: The Allahabad High Court orders the status quo in the case of the disputed structure.
Babri Masjid is demolished on December 6, 1992.
Two FIRs were filed in the case in December 1992. One against unknown kar sevaks for mosque demolition. The lawsuit also accuses BJP leaders L K Advani, M M Joshi, and others of giving communal speeches prior to the demolition.
The CBI files a composite charge sheet accusing Advani and others of conspiracy in October 1993.
May 2001: Advani, Joshi, Uma Bharti, Bal Thackeray, and others are acquitted by a special CBI court.
Sep 2010: With a 2:1 majority, the Supreme Court rules on a three-way division of the disputed area between the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara, and Ram Lalla.
May 2011: The Supreme Court vacates the High Court’s decision in the Ayodhya land dispute.
In the mosque demolition case, the CBI files an appeal with the Supreme Court in February 2011.
Nov 2019: The Supreme Court grants the entire disputed land in Ayodhya to deity Ram Lalla and orders the government to allot an alternative five-acre plot to Muslims for the construction of a mosque.
PM Narendra Modi performs ‘bhoomi pujan’ in Ayodhya, kicking off construction of the Ram temple.
