SC allots disputed land in Ayodhya for Hindus : Separate space for Mosque

Delhi : In one of the most anticipated judgments in India’s history, the Supreme Court on Saturday cleared the decks for the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya, and directed the Centre to allot a 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi ruled that the mosque should be constructed at a “prominent site” and a trust should be formed within three months for the construction of the temple at the site many Hindus believe is the birthplace of Lord Ram.

The Five judge bench of the Supreme Court has pronounced the judgment in Ayodhya case as follows

The court has held that the entire disputed land of 2.77 acres in Ayodhya must be handed over for the construction of Ram Mandir. At the same time, the Court held that an alternate plot of 5 acres must be allotted to the Sunni Waqf Board for construction of mosque.

The Court observed that the destruction of Babri mosque in 1992 was a violation of law. The Central Government has been directed to formulate a scheme in this regard within three months. A Board of Trustees must be set up for construction of temple.

The Sunni Wakf Board, one of the main litigants in the Ayodhya Ramjanmabhoomi title suit, said that it was not satisfied with the verdict and may seek a review.

The 16th century Babri mosque had stood at the site before it was destroyed by Hindu kar sevaks on December 6, 1992 in a catalytic event that triggered widespread violence across the country. It said the destruction of the mosque took place in breach of the order of status quo.

Directing allotment or alternate land to Muslims for construction of mosque, the court said, “Muslims were dispossessed of the mosque in 1949 and December 6, 1992. Wrong committed must be remitted.”

The bench, also comprising Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer, said the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board has failed to establish its case of dedicated place of worship in the Ayodhya dispute while directing allotment of alternative land to Muslims to build a new mosque.