Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan: Chronology of events in Ram Janmabhoomi dispute

Team Udayavani, Aug 5, 2020, 12:02 PM IST

The much-promised Ram Mandir at UP’s Ayodhya will finally come into reality with Prime Modi laying the foundation stone for the temple today. The historic moment is likely to mark an end to the decades-long dispute.

A chronological list of events that unfolded in the past that have brought the Ayodhya dispute to where it is today.

1528

Babri Masjid built by Mir Baqi, commander of Mughal emperor Babur.

1885

Mahant Raghubir Das files plea in Faizabad district court seeking permission to build a canopy outside the disputed structure. Court rejects the plea.

1949

Idols of Ram Lalla placed under central dome outside the disputed structure.

1950

Gopal Simla Visharad files suit in Faizabad district court for rights to worship the idols of Ram Lalla.

Paramahansa Ramachandra Das files suit for continuation of worship and keeping the idols.

1959

Nirmohi Akhara files suit seeking possession of the site.

1961

UP Sunni Central Waqf Board files suit for possession of the site.

1986

Local court orders the government to open the site for Hindu worshippers.

1989

Allahabad HC orders maintenance of status quo in respect of the disputed structure.

1992

Over 2,00,000 karsevaks demolish Babri Masjid on December 6.

PV Narsimha Rao led Congress govt appoints inquiry commission

1993

Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Act passed for acquiring land by Centre in the disputed area on April 3.

Various writ petitions, including one by Ismail Faruqui, filed in Allahabad HC challenging various aspects of the Act.

SC exercising its jurisdiction under Article 139A transferred the writ petitions, which were pending in the High Court.

1994

SC says in historic Ismail Faruqui case mosque was not integral to Islam.

2002

HC begins hearing on determining who owns the disputed site. ASI asked to verify if temple existed at disputed site.

2003

SC says, in the Aslam alias Bhure case, no religious activity of any nature be allowed at the acquired land.

ASI finds evidence on presence of temple at site under Babri Masjid.

2009

Inquiry commission set by Congress govt submits report but findings not made public.

2010

HC, in a 2:1 majority, rules three-way division of disputed area between Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.

2011

SC stays HC verdict on Ayodhya land dispute on May 9.

2016

Petition filed by Subramanian Swamy in Supreme Court for the construction of a Hindu temple in the disputed land.

2017

Mar 21 – CJI JS Khehar suggests out-of-court settlement among rival parties.

May 30 – BJP leaders – MM Joshi, LK Advani, Uma Bharti among those charged with criminal conspiracy to demolish Babri Masjid.

Aug 7 – SC constitutes three-judge bench to hear pleas challenging 1994 verdict of the Allahabad HC.

2018

Feb 8 – SC starts hearing the civil appeals.

Jul 20 – SC reserves verdict.

Sep 27 – SC declines to refer the case to a five-judge Constitution bench. Case to be heard by a newly constituted three-judge bench on October 29.

Oct 29 – SC fixes the case for the first week of January before an appropriate bench, which will decide the schedule of hearing.

Dec 24 – SC decides to take up petitions on case for hearing on January 4, 2019.

2019

Jan 4 – SC says an appropriate bench constituted by it will pass an order on January 10 for fixing the date of hearing in the title case.

Jan 8 – SC sets up a five-judge Constitution Bench to hear the case headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and comprising justices S A Bobde, N V Ramana, U U Lalit and D Y Chandrachud.

Jan 10 – Justice U U Lalit recuses himself prompting SC to reschedule the hearing for January 29 before a new bench.

Jan 25: SC reconstitutes 5-member Constitution Bench to hear the case. The new bench comprises Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer.

Jan 29 – Centre moves SC seeking permission to return the 67-acre acquired land around the disputed site to original owners.

Feb 26 – SC favours mediation, fixes Mar 5 for order on whether to refer matter to court-appointed mediator.

Mar 8 – SC refers the dispute for mediation by a panel headed by former apex court judge F M I Kallifulla.

May 10 – SC extends time till Aug 15 to complete mediation process.

Jul 11 – SC seeks report on “progress of mediation”.

Jul 18 – SC allows mediation process to continue, seeks outcome report by Aug 1.

Aug 1 – Report of mediation submitted in sealed cover to SC.

Aug 2 – SC decides to conduct day-to-day hearing from Aug 6 as mediation fails.

Aug 6 – SC commences day-to-day hearing on the land dispute.

Oct 4 – SC says it will wrap up hearing on Oct 17, judgment by Nov 17.

– SC directs UP govt to provide security to state Waqf Board Chairperson.

Oct 16 – SC concludes hearing; reserves order.

Nov 9 – SC grants entire 2.77 acre of disputed land in Ayodhya to deity Ram Lalla, possession of land will remain with Central government receiver. SC also directs Centre and UP govt to allot 5 acre land to the Muslims at a prominent place for building mosque.