Ayodhya Verdict HIGHLIGHTS: SC Rules Ram Mandir On Disputed Site; Muslims Get Alternate Land Off Site
Ayodhya Verdict Live: The Supreme Court in a unanimous verdict on Saturday cleared the way 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. In one of the most important and most anticipated judgements in India's history, a 5-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi put an end to the more than a century-old dispute that has torn the social fabric of the nation.
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India on Saturday rejected Pakistan's unwarranted and gratuitous statement on the Ayodhya verdict, saying it is a civil matter that is completely internal to India.
We reject the unwarranted and gratuitous comments made by Pakistan on the judgement of the Supreme Court of India on a civil matter that is completely internal to India: Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
The Pakistan Foreign Office on Saturday in a statement expressed deep concern over the Indian Supreme Court's verdict in the Babri Masjid title suit case. The Foreign Office Spokesperson said the decision has, once again, failed to uphold the demands of justice.
IANS
Even as the government insisted that the Supreme Court judgement on Ayodhya should not be seen as victory or defeat by anyone, the ruling BJP did not shy away from giving some credit subtly to the Modi dispensation over the Ram temple issue, saying its tenure will be written in golden letters.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) which has been spearheading the Ram temple movement, too made its intentions clear.
About Kashi and Mathura, I must make it clear -- the Supreme Court judgement is not the end of the story but the beginning of it: VHP's International Working President Alok Kumar, hours after the apex court gave its verdict on the contentious Ayodhya title dispute case.
IANS
Some people are suffering from the disease of Talibani mindset. These people have no trust in the Constitution or judiciary of the country, Naqvi told news agency IANS.
The Ram temple issue has been a part of the BJP's election manifestos since the 1989 Lok Sabha polls. However, at that time, the BJP did not speak about constructing the temple at the disputed site.
By not allowing the rebuilding of the Ram Janma Mandir in Ayodhya, on the lines of Somnath Mandir built by the Government of India in 1948, it (government) has allowed tensions to rise, and gravely strained social harmony: the BJP manifesto had said then.
The 2019 manifesto said: We will explore all possibilities within the framework of the Constitution and all necessary efforts to facilitate the expeditious construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
IANS
Not satisfied with the verdict. Supreme Court is indeed supreme but not infallible. We have full faith in the constitution, we were fighting for our right, we don't need 5 acre land as donation. We should reject this 5 acre land offer, don't patronize us.
Not satisfied with the verdict. Supreme Court is indeed supreme but not infallible. We have full faith in the constitution, we were fighting for our right, we don't need 5 acre land as donation. We should reject this 5 acre land offer, don't patronize us.
Lawyers for Hindu parties on Saturday said the Supreme Court judgment granting the entire 2.77 acre of disputed land in Ayodhya to deity Ram Lalla has reaffirmed their faith while the Muslim advocates voiced dissatisfaction saying there were lot of contradictions in the verdict.
The apex court on Saturday cleared the way 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.
WATCH: AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi Says 'SC Not Infallible'; Wants Sunni Waqf Board To Reject Alternate Land Offer
The following are the highlights of the Supreme Court judgement in which it unanimously granted the entire 2.77 acre of disputed Ram-Janmbhoomi Babri Masjid land in Ayodhya to deity Ram Lalla.
- The land will remain with a central government receiver.
- The disputed site was government land in the revenue records.
- SC directs allotment of alternative land to Muslims to build new mosque.
- Suitable land of 5 acre to be handed over to Sunni Waqf board at prominent place for building the mosque.
- Centre to frame scheme within 3 months and set up a trust for construction of a temple.
- SC dismisses plea of Nirmohi Akhara seeking control of entire disputed land.
- Centre, UP govt can monitor together future actions by authorities.
- SC asks the Centre to grant representation in the trust to Nirmohi Akhara if deemed fit by the government.
- SC holds that Nirmohi Akhara's suit is barred by limitation, not a Shebait or devotee of deity Ram Lalla - Ram Janmbhoomi is not a juristic person.
- Babri mosque, demolished on December 6, 1992, was not built on vacant land.
- SC says that terming the archeological evidence as merely an opinion would be a great disservice to the ASI.
- Fact that there lay a temple beneath the destroyed structure has been established by the ASI, says SC.
- The underlying structure was not an Islamic structure.
- ASI had not established whether temple was demolished to build the mosque.
- Hindus consider this place as birthplace of lord Ram, even Muslims say this about disputed place.
- Faith of Hindus that Lord Rama was born at demolished structure is undisputed.
- The existence of Sita Rasoi, Ram Chabutra and Bhandar grih are the testimony of the religious fact of the place.
- Evidence suggest Hindus were in possession of outer court yard.
- Extensive nature of Hindus worshipping at outer courtyard at site has been there.
- Evidence suggest Muslims offered Friday prayers at mosque which indicates they have not lost possession.
- Despite obstruction caused in offering prayers at Mosque, evidence suggest that there was no abandonment.
- Iron railing was set up at site in 1856-1857, it suggests Hindus kept worshipping at the site.
- Title cannot be established on ground of faith, belief; they are kind of indicator for deciding dispute.
- Muslims have not adduced evidence they were in exclusive possession of dispute site.
- Muslims were not in possession of outer courtyard of the site.
- UP Sunni Central Waqf Board has failed to establish its case in Ayodhya dispute.
- On the contrary, Hindus established their case that they were in possession of outer courtyard.
- Damage to Babri Mosque was violation of law.
- 5-judge Constitution bench which delivered the verdict comprised Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer.
- Pronouncement of the verdict, which commenced at 10:30 AM, went on for 45 minutes.
- 14 appeals were filed in SC against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among the three parties -- the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla.
- Initially, as many as five lawsuits were filed in the lower court. The first one was filed by Gopal Singh Visharad, a devotee of 'Ram Lalla', in 1950 to seek enforcement of the right to worship of Hindus at the disputed site.
- In the same year, the Paramahansa Ramachandra Das had also filed the lawsuit for continuation of worship and keeping the idols under the central dome of the now-demolished disputed structure.
- The plea was later withdrawn.
- The Nirmohi Akahara moved the trial court in 1959 seeking management and 'shebaiti' (devotee) rights over the 2.77 acre disputed land.
- Then came the lawsuit of the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Wakf Board which moved the court in 1961, claiming title right over the disputed property.
- The deity, 'Ram Lalla Virajman', through next friend and former Allahabad High Court judge Deoki Nandan Agrawal, and the Janmbhoomi (the birthplace) moved the lawsuit in 1989, seeking title right over the entire disputed property on the key ground that the land itself has the character of the deity and of a 'Juristic entity'.
- All the lawsuits were transferred to the Allahabad High Court for adjudication following the demolition of the disputed Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid structure on December 6, 1992, sparking communal riots in the country.
- SC on August 6 commenced day-to-day proceedings in the case as the mediation proceedings initiated to find the amicable resolution had failed.
- The bench on October 16 had reserved the judgement after a marathon hearing of 40 days.
Stating so, PM again appealed to countrymen for peace, unity and amity.
Security has been tightened across Kerala ahead of the Supreme Court verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute case, expected shortly on Saturday.
Section 144 of the CrPC (Criminal Procedure Code) has been imposed in five places in Kasargode district, while police security has been beefed up at Kochi and other major centres.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has appealed to the people to maintain peace and harmony and there should be no provocative statements from any quarters.
The state administration and the police have send out messages on official groups that there should be no attempt to spread canards and if anyone does it, would be arrested .
At least 40,000police personnel have been deployed in Mumbai in view of the Supreme Court's verdict on the sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid suit, which will be delivered on Saturday, officials said.
The situation will be monitored through drone units and live CCTV feeds from the police control room.
The financial capital had witnessed communal riots afterdemolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya in December 1992 and January 1993.
Security in and around the Supreme Court was increased on Saturday ahead of the judgment in the politically sensitive Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case, with barricades being put on roads leading to the apex court's premises.
The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce the judgment at 10:30 am.
A strong posse of security personnel have been deployed around the court complex and vehicles and pedestrians are being subjected to full checks.
Security outside the residences of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer, who are part of the five-judge Constitution Bench, which will deliver the judgment, has also been beefed up by the Delhi Police.
Devotees are visiting the temple of Shri Ram Lalla. There are no restrictions on visiting the temple. All markets are open, the situation is completely normal.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanathhas called for a meeting with senior officials of the state ahead of the verdict in the communally sensitive Ayodhya dispute. A multi-layered security arrangement has been put in the temple-town of Ayodhya ahead of the verdict.
Paramilitary forces have been deployed in Ayodhya, aerial surveillance is being done. Intelligence machinery has been geared up, random checks are also taking place. An ADG rank officer has been deployed in Ayodhya to keep an eye on operations.
Issuing an advisory for all editors of NBA and said that extra care and caution 'needs to be exercised to ensure that the telecast of any news relating to it should not be sensational, inflammatory or provocative.'
The statetment further said that the 'basic guideline to be adhered to during telecasting news is that all such news should conform strictly to subserving the public interest of maintaining communal harmony and preservation of the secular ethos of the country.'
Issuing a list of guidelines, the NBA said that 'no visuals need be shown depicting celebration of protest by persons' in respect to the Ayodhya matter.
Issuing an advisory for all editors of NBA and said that extra care and caution 'needs to be exercised to ensure that the telecast of any news relating to it should not be sensational, inflammatory or provocative.'
The statetment further said that the 'basic guideline to be adhered to during telecasting news is that all such news should conform strictly to subserving the public interest of maintaining communal harmony and preservation of the secular ethos of the country.'
Issuing a list of guidelines, the NBA said that 'no visuals need be shown depicting celebration of protest by persons' in respect to the Ayodhya matter.
The Supreme Court is going to deliver the verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case of Ayodhya on Saturday at 10.30 a.m. After completing the hearing in the case, the apex court had reserved its decision and since then, it was speculated that the decision will come before the retirement of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.
Justice Gogoi is slated to retire on November 17. Though the court can sit any day, hear the case and also deliver its verdict, November 17 is a Sunday and usually, the verdict in an important case is not announced on a holiday.
The court's decisions are also not announced on a day the judges retire. Also, November 16 is a Saturday.
Besides, the last working day of Justice Gogoi is November 15. This had led to a speculation that the verdict of the Ayodhya case could be heard by a bench headed by Justice Gogoi on November 14, or November 15.
Normally, if the court announces a verdict, the next day, the plaintiff or one of the defendants requests the court to review the decision again, and the process generally takes one or two days.
However, neither the court nor the government had earlier indicated that the verdict in the Ayodhya case could come before November 14-15.
Suddenly, on Friday night, it was announced that the verdict on the Ayodhya case will be pronounced at 10.30 a.m. on Saturday.
It is believed that this sudden announcement is a part of a strategy to keep the anti-social at bay, so that they do not get any opportunity to prepare for any kind of conspiracy, ahead of the announcement on this sensitive, emotional and faith-related matter.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has appealed to all citizens to exercise restraint when reacting to the Supreme Court verdict to be delivered on Saturday morning on the sensitive Ayodhya dispute, whatsoever it be.
The apex court is scheduled to pronounce at 10.30 am on Saturday its verdict in the communally sensitive case of Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute in Ayodhya.
While the state police department has warned it will take strict action against those who spread messages, through social media, affecting the communal harmony of the state, the Kasargod District Collector has issued prohibitory orders in areas under five police station limits there.
The chief minister reminded the state how peacefully it had reacted to the news of Babri Masjid demolition on December 6, 1992.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday issued an appeal asking people not to see the final Ayodhya verdict by the Supreme Court as a victory or defeat.
The Chief Minister has asked people not to believe rumours and work together for peace. He warned of strict action against those who violate law.
He said that his government was committed to maintain peace in the state at all costs and officials concerned have been given necessary instructions in this regard.
Meanwhile, the state government has closed all schools, colleges, educational institutions and training centres from November 9 to 11.
This has been done in view of the Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya issue which will be announced on Saturday morning.
If any untoward incident happens, the same may be immediately reported to Control Room at Central Office. While operating buses, all are instructed to take extra care and advisory from local police authorities.
• The Ayodhya dispute began way back in 1853 when the first incident of communal violence over the Ayodhya issue was recorded.
• Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was then the ruler of Awadh. It was the first time that the Hindu community representatives claimed that the mosque was built after the demolition of a Hindu temple.
• By 1859, Hindus and Muslims both had started praying at the site. The issue of possession of the site led to more communal clashes and the Britishers built a fence that divided the compound into two parts -- the inner court to be used by Muslims and the outer court by Hindus.
• Courts got involved for the first time in 1885 as Mahant Raghubir Das filed a plea in Faizabad district court seeking permission to build a canopy of Ram Chabootra on the site of Ram Janmabhoomi. The Faizabad district court rejected the plea.
• The first big controversy in the Ayodhya conflict came in 1949 when an idol of Lord Ram was allegedly placed inside the mosque by Hindu activists and a message was spread that Lord Ram had miraculously appeared inside the mosque.
• There was a protest from the Muslim side. Both Hindus and Muslims filed a civil suit each in the court. The government had to declare the premises 'disputed area' and lock the gates until further notice.
• The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru asked the idol to be removed immediately but the local officer, K.K.K Nair, refused to carry out the order stating that doing so would lead to communal violence.
• Cases were filed in the court by the Hindu side seeking permission for the right to worship the idol in the premises. The court held back the removal of the idol and allowed the Hindus to worship. The Nirmohi Akhara became a party to the dispute in 1959 and the Sunni Waqf Board joined in 1961.
• After two decades, in the early eighties, the dispute became more political than legal as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the torch bearer of Hindutva.
• With Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal and other fringe outfits working overtime to whip up a Hindutva wave, Lord Ram's temple became the dominant issue of Indian politics, dividing communities on religious lines and blurring regional divides.
• The Hindutva frenzy reached a crescendo on December 6, 1992 when volunteers of fringe groups demolished the mosque. More than 2,000 died in riots that ensued across the country, but the Hindu flag flew high.
• For 29 years after the Babri Masjid demolition, the case of the title suit -- ownership of land -- has been keenly contested in various courts and the issue has been driving the politics of the country in one way or the other.
• The formation of the BJP government at the Centre in 2014 and then in Uttar Pradesh in 2017 worked as a catalyst and the slogan 'Ram Lalla hum aayenge, Mandir wahin banayenge' seems to be turning into reality now.
• After years of intensive battle between Hindus and Muslims on this issue, there seems to be a palpable difference in the mood now that the apex court is all set to announce the verdict.
• Hindus are convinced that the verdict will be in their favour, while Muslims have more or less reconciled to this fact.
Jamia Millia Islamia Friday night said there will be no classes in the varsity on November.
Sources said it is a precautionary measure taken in view of the Ayodhya verdict on Saturday.
On Friday, the varsity's vice-chancellor had appealed for peace and harmony ahead of the Supreme Court verdict on the sensitive issue.
Jamia Millia Islamia Friday night said there will be no classes in the varsity on November.
Sources said it is a precautionary measure taken in view of the Ayodhya verdict on Saturday.
On Friday, the varsity's vice-chancellor had appealed for peace and harmony ahead of the Supreme Court verdict on the sensitive issue.
Department of Information and Public Relations, Govt of Jammu & Kashmir: Sec 144 - no gathering of 5 or more, imposed from midnight (November 9), till further orders, in entire J&K. No schools or colleges on Saturday.
Section 144 of CrPC, which prohibits gathering of more than four people, has been clamped in entire Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The prohibitory orders will be in effect in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal and Bengaluru from 7 am-12 midnight.
Schools, colleges and other educational institutes will remain closed in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka and Delhi as the Supreme Court delivers its verdict in the decades-old Ayodhya dispute on Saturday.
As a precautionary measure, the government has closed all schools, colleges, educational institutions from Saturday to Monday in Uttar Pradesh.
It is an issue that has cast a shadow over India's socio-political fibre for decades and may even continue to do so for a few more years.
Background
New Delhi: The Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict in the politically sensitive case of Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute in Ayodhya on Saturday. According to reports, the apex court is likely to pronounce judgement at 10:30 am in the morning. A 5-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, had reserved the judgement on October 16 after marathon hearing of 40 days.
Earlier in the day, Justice Gogoi held a highly confidential meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP), to apparently take stock of the law and order situation. According to sources, three judges from the five-member Ayodhya bench - Chief Justice Gogoi, Chief Justice-designate S A Bobde and Justice Ashok Bhushan attended the meeting with the Chief Secretary Rajendra Kumar Tiwari and the DGP.
It is learnt the discussion mainly focussed on the law and order situation in the state in view of the judgement, which is expected any time next week. "The meeting between the judges and the state officials began at 11.30 a.m. and ended at 1.00 p.m.," said a source familiar with the development. Sources said the judges asked the state officials if they needed any assistance in the form of an order to strengthen the law and order situation.
WATCH VIDEO | Ayodhya Case: Meeting concludes between CJI and UP officials
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken stock of the state's security preparations with the senior civil and police officials and district magistrates and district police chiefs in view of the upcoming Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya dispute and festivals like Kartik Purnima, Prakash Parv and Barawafat. Yogi directed all senior officers to stay alert and spend the next fortnight maintaining a vigil in sensitive districts.
The Chief Minister also ordered setting up of a control room that would function 24X7 in each district and for stepping up security on commercial establishments, airports, bus and railway stations. He also ordered for a helicopter to be kept on standby in Ayodhya and Lucknow. Union Ministry of Home Affairs has sent an advisory to all states to remain alert.
A senior MHA official requesting anonymity said that a general advisory has been sent to all states and Union Territories asking them to remain alert and deploy adequate security personnel in all sensitive places and ensure that no untoward incident takes place anywhere in the country.
ALSO READ | Home Ministry Asks States To Remain Alert Ahead Of Ayodhya Verdict
The official said that the ministry has also has rushed 40 companies (around 100 personnel each) of paramilitary forces to Uttar Pradesh to assist the state government in maintaining law and order. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also asked his council of ministers to refrain from making unnecessary statements in connection with the Ayodhya verdict.
Apart from Ayodhya, the circular cautioned the Uttar Pradesh government to keep watch on highly sensitive areas in the state and deploy police force at specific locations, following apprehensions that "anti-social elements" may provoke religious sentiments of the people.
The apex court will deliver its verdict on a dispute over the ownership of 2.77 acre of land in Ayodhya on November 9, days before Chief Justice Gogoi retires. The Hindu parties, during the hearing, had argued that the entire 2.77 acres plot is the birthplace of Lord Ram while the Muslim parties claimed the title over the land, saying Muslims had ownership of the land since 1528 when the mosque was built.
(With inputs from agencies)
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