The Ayodhya Ram Mandir has remained contentious for several decades, capturing the nation’s attention and sparking extensive public discussions. Specifically, the land on which the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir is set to begin the divine worship of Lord Rama on January 22, 2024, has been a focal point of controversy for over 75 years. The historical timeline of the Ayodhya dispute reveals a series of interrelated legal and socio-religious sagas.
Before probing the controversial land deeper and unfolding the historical chapters much wider, I would like to say that this perspective is independent and doesn’t align with any particular parties or individuals. The information presented here is based on recorded court cases and historical records.
So, let’s begin!
Ayodhya Chapter 1: Babri Masjid and the Ram Idol Inside!
Who would have thought that the construction of the Babri Masjid by Mir Baqi in 1528 would lay the groundwork for a conflict that would spill and stain much blood? The first legal dispute in the name of Ram and Allah emerged in 1885 and was initiated by Mahant Raghubir Das. He sought permission to construct a temple adjacent to the Babri mosque, setting the stage for a protracted and prolonged series of events.
In December 1949, a Ram idol appeared inside the mosque! What a coincidence, right!? Some believed (and still believe) that the lord handed over the fortune to his believers. The government declared it a “contested area”, followed by legal suits filed in 1950 and 1959 by Hindu groups and in 1961 by the UP Sunni Wakf Board, claiming land ownership for their ‘Gods’.
Ayodhya Chapter 2: Ram Janmabhoomi Movement and Rath Yatra
The Ram Janmabhoomi movement began in 1984, with a brawl of legal battles, which somehow led to the opening of the inner gate of Babri Masjid in 1986. The Ram Rath Yatra, led by L K Advani, the then president of the BJP, further intensified communal tensions. The 1990 political and religious rally was organized and funded by the BJP and its Hindu Nationalist Affiliates such as the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).
What was the intention behind this Rath Yatra conducted by a prominent political party during a moment of escalating communal tension? The event raised questions about the relationship between secular principles and the manipulation of religious sentiments for political purposes, a tactic that remains relevant even today.
Ayodhya Chapter 3: Demolition of Babri Masjid
Events escalated with a surge of passion, anger, and grief all rooted in religious sentiments. The climax unfolded on December 6, 1992, when a violent mob marched toward Babri Masjid and demolished the mosque! In response, the government formed the Liberhan Commission to investigate the events. In the aftermath, in 1993, the government acquired control over the land through legislative measures.
The 1994 Ismail Faruqui Judgment upheld the constitutionality of the acquisition, stating that the mosque was not an essential place of worship. The Ayodhya Title Dispute case began in 2002, and from March to August 2003, the Archaeological Survey of India conducted excavations on the land, claiming to have found remnants of a 10th-century Hindu temple. The Liberhan Commission Report was submitted in 2009, after a 17-year delay.
Ayodhya Chapter 4: Climax
In 2010, the Allahabad High Court delivered a judgment dividing the land among the Sunni Wakf Board, Nirmohi Akhara, and Ram Lalla Virajman. However, the Supreme Court stayed this ruling in 2011 and started hearing the appeals in 2017. The petitioners argued for reconsidering the 1994 judgment, leading to a split verdict in 2018. The Supreme Court, in January 2019, formed a 5-judge Constitution Bench to review the case, and in March 2019, ordered court-monitored mediation.
On November 9, 2019, the bench led by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi ruled that the land must be given to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas for the construction of a temple dedicated to Lord Ram. The Muslim side was directed to receive compensation in the form of 5 acres of land at a notable location in Ayodhya for the construction of a Mosque.
22/01/2024: Ayodhya Awakens – Grand Opening of Ram Mandir
On August 5, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the temple, sparking debates that it was unnecessary and controversial, contending that the PM erred by laying the foundation for a Ram temple on the disputed land, citing concerns about the potential impact on Muslim sentiments.
The construction of the temple, supervised by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, has stirred controversies concerning the alleged misuse of donations, sidelining major activists, and the politicization of the temple by the BJP. Despite these controversies, disputes, and religious outbursts, Ayodhya is gearing up for the Pran Pratishtha (consecration ceremony) of the Ram Mandir on the land believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, scheduled to take place on 22 January 2024.
Festive Celebrations Marking Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya Ram Mandir
On January 22, as India prepares for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Hindus in India are gearing up for a celebration on par with Diwali. The Hindu community worldwide has organized numerous events to celebrate this historic occasion, with live-streaming of the consecration ceremony. Celebrations have already begun at various locations globally, including Mauritius, the UK, the US, and Canada, where devotees are also planning car rallies and special pujas.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with numerous prominent personalities, will attend the consecration rituals, and the shrine will be opened to the public a day later. The Pran Pratishtha ceremony will begin at 12:20 p.m., and conclude by 1 p.m., after which PM Modi will address a gathering of over 7,000 people, including seers and prominent personalities from around the world. To make the event more special, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has organized a musical event titled ‘Mangal Dhwani’, scheduled at 10 a.m., featuring renowned names in the Indian music industry.
The musical event will feature instruments such as Pakhawaj, flute, Dholak from Uttar Pradesh, Veena from Karnataka, Sundari from Maharashtra, Algoza from Punjab, Mardal from Odisha, Santoor from Madhya Pradesh, Nagada and Kali from Assam, Pung from Manipur, Tambura from Chhattisgarh, Pakhawaj from Bihar, Sarod from Bengal, Shehnai from Delhi, Sitar from Jharkhand, Ravanahatha from Rajasthan, Srikhol, Ghatam from Andhra Pradesh, Santar from Gujarat, Nagaswaram, Tavil, Mridang, and Hudka from Uttarakhand.
Around 8,000 people are invited to the Pran Pratishtha, with 506 A-listers, including politicians, industrialists, film stars, sportspersons, diplomats, judges, and high priests on the select list. Many celebrities have reportedly already arrived in Ayodhya to attend the event. To mark this historic moment, the central government has granted a half-day off to all government employees, including public sector banks, and some states have also declared a public holiday.
Preparations Ahead of Pran Pratishtha
The eve of the Pran Pratishtha saw colorful celebrations in Ayodhya, adorned with flowers, bhajans, and stringent security arrangements. The idol of the infant Ram, Ram Lalla has been placed in the Sanctum Sanctorum of the temple. According to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the idol underwent a ritualistic bathing ceremony on Sunday, using 114 pitchers filled with water infused with medicinal properties and sacred water from various pilgrimage sites. The idol, crafted by sculptor Arun Yogiraj in Mysuru, is carved from a three-billion-year-old rock sourced from an active quarry in Guggegowdanapura, Mysuru district.
In anticipation of the grand inaugurations and Pran Pratishtha of the Ram Mandir, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) shared a satellite image of the temple, offering a glimpse of the structure from space. The image was processed by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) in Hyderabad using the Cartosat satellite on December 16, 2023. Ayodhya is under strict security measures, with commandos from the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) have been deployed at Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, and the Uttar Pradesh Police have indicated the use of modern, advanced technology for comprehensive security arrangements during the event.
However, concerns have also been raised by Muslims in Ayodhya regarding potential security issues, citing past violence. Despite assurances from the Uttar Pradesh government, a local Muslim organization has submitted a petition for strict security measures in areas with sizable Muslim populations.