 |
| Ram Mandir History: The under-construction Ram Mandir which is being built in Ayodhya. (Photo: Champat Rai/Facebook) |
As the nation eagerly anticipates the inauguration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, it is essential to delve into the rich and complex history that spans over 500 years.
1529: Babri Mosque Construction by Mir Baqi
The historical narrative begins in 1529 when Mir Baqi, the commander of the Mughal emperor Babur, constructed the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya.
1885: Court Dispute Initiates
A court dispute over the mosque's premises commenced in 1885, initiated by Mahant Raghubir Das, who sought permission to build a temple on the land adjacent to the mosque. However, the Faizabad district magistrate denied the request.
1949: Controversial Events Surrounding the Mosque
In 1949, a Hindu priest named Abhiram Das claimed to have dreams of Lord Ram appearing under the mosque's main dome. Idols of Lord Ram mysteriously appeared inside the mosque on the night of December 22, leading to fervent prayers by Hindu devotees. The city magistrate registered an FIR, and the property was attached.
1950: Legal Proceedings Begin
Two suits were filed in the Faizabad court in 1950, seeking permission to conduct puja, which was granted. However, the court ordered the inner courtyard gates to remain locked, setting the stage for prolonged legal battles.
1961: UP Sunni Wakf Board Enters Legal Fray
The UP Sunni Wakf Board entered the legal landscape in 1961 by filing a suit seeking possession of the mosque site and the removal of Ram Lalla idols from Babri Masjid.
1984: VHP Launches Ram Janmabhoomi Movement
In 1984, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) initiated the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement, with LK Advani leading the movement. This marked a significant turning point in the history of the Ayodhya dispute.
1986: Locks Removed, Permission Granted
A district judge ordered the locks to be removed in 1986, allowing puja and darshan of Ram Lalla inside the disputed structure.
1989: Shilanayas and Rath Yatra
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi allowed the VHP to perform Shilanayas (laying of the foundation stone) near the disputed area in 1989. In the same year, LK Advani launched the Rath Yatra from Gujarat's Somnath to Ayodhya, resulting in communal riots and significant unrest.
1992: Babri Masjid Demolition
The most infamous chapter unfolded in 1992 when a violent mob demolished the Babri Masjid, leading to nationwide repercussions and communal tensions.
2003: Archaeological Excavation Begins
Under the orders of the Allahabad High Court, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) began excavating the land underneath the disputed site in 2003. The ASI claimed to have found remnants of a 10th-century Hindu temple.
2019: Supreme Court Verdict
The Ayodhya dispute reached its pinnacle in 2019 when the Supreme Court constituted a five-judge bench to hear the case. The apex court ruled in favor of the Hindu side, paving the way for the construction of the Ram Temple at the disputed site. The court also directed the Centre to allocate an alternative five-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque in Ayodhya.
2020: Formation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust
In 2020, the Union Cabinet approved the setting up of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust to manage the construction of the temple.
2024: Inauguration of Ram Mandir
The journey that began in 1529 with the construction of the Babri Mosque by Mir Baqi reaches a historic moment in 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Ram Mandir, marking a significant milestone in the centuries-old Ayodhya dispute.
The 500-year-old history of the Ram Mandir is replete with legal battles, communal tensions, political movements, and, finally, a landmark Supreme Court verdict. As the nation witnesses the culmination of this journey, it reflects on the complexities and nuances that have shaped the destiny of Ayodhya's sacred land.