Introduction:
A momentous occasion unfolded as the Ayodhya Ram Temple, adorned with nearly 400 pillars, 44 doors, and a pristine Lord Ram idol, was officially inaugurated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the grand ceremony, joined by religious figures, politicians, and Bollywood celebrities. This historic event prompts us to reflect on the intricate 500-year timeline that led to the establishment of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
1528: The Origin of Babri Masjid:
The journey of the Ram Temple movement traces back to 1528 when Mir Baqi, a commander of Mughal emperor Babur, oversaw the construction of the Babri Masjid. The belief that the mosque was erected on the remnants of a Hindu temple sparked a prolonged dispute between the two communities.
1751: Maratha Ambitions:
Balbir Punj’s book, ‘Tryst with Ayodhya: Decolonisation of India,’ sheds light on the Marathas’ aspiration to control Ayodhya, Kashi, and Mathura, setting the stage for enduring contentions.
1858: Nihang Sikhs’ Assertiveness:
In 1858, Nihang Sikhs made a bid to claim Babri Masjid as Lord Ram’s birthplace, foreshadowing the struggles for control over the contested site.
1885: The Commencement of Legal Disputes:
Raghubar Das, a priest of the Nirmohi Akhara, took the first legal step in 1885, filing a suit seeking permission to construct a temple on the outer courtyard of the mosque. Although dismissed, this action set a legal precedent, sustaining the dispute.
1949: ‘Ram Lalla’ Idols Inside Babri Masjid:
The night of December 22, 1949, witnessed the placement of ‘Ram Lalla’ idols inside the Babri Masjid, intensifying religious sentiments and triggering legal battles over ownership, marking the beginning of a prolonged legal saga.
1950-1959: Proliferation of Legal Disputes:
The subsequent decade saw a surge in legal suits, with Nirmohi Akhara seeking rights to worship the idols and the Sunni Central Waqf Board seeking possession of the site, deepening the legal complexities.
1986-1989: Unlocking Babri Masjid:
In a controversial move in 1986, during the Rajiv Gandhi-led Congress government, the locks of the Babri Masjid were opened, escalating tensions and becoming a pivotal moment in the Ram Janmabhoomi narrative.
1990: Rath Yatra and Unsuccessful Demolition Attempt:
L.K. Advani’s Rath Yatra in 1990 aimed to garner support for the temple, culminating in an unsuccessful attempt to demolish the mosque. Despite the failure, this event marked a significant turning point in the movement.
1992: The Notorious Demolition:
The climactic event of 1992 witnessed the demolition of the Babri Masjid, reshaping Indian politics. The ensuing riots engendered communal tensions, leading to loss of lives and properties.
1993-1994: Turmoil Post-Demolition:
Communal riots erupted across India in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid’s demolition. The PV Narasimha Rao-led government’s acquisition of the disputed area faced legal challenges but was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1994.
2002-2003: ASI’s Excavation and Allahabad High Court Hearing:
The Allahabad High Court commenced the title case hearing in 2002, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) conducted excavations, claiming evidence of a Hindu temple beneath the mosque, further prolonging the legal battle.
2009-10: Submission of the Liberhan Report:
After 399 sittings spanning 16 years, the Liberhan Commission submitted its report in 2009, unraveling intricate details of the Babri Masjid demolition and implicating key leaders. The Allahabad High Court’s 2010 verdict aimed to settle the dispute but faced appeals and continued legal challenges.
2019: Supreme Court’s Groundbreaking Verdict:
In a landmark 2019 judgment, the Supreme Court awarded the entire disputed land to Hindus for the Ram Temple’s construction and allocated an alternate site for the mosque.
2020: Laying the Ram Temple Foundation Stone:
On August 5, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the grand Ram Temple through a ‘Bhoomi Pujan,’ heralding the construction and providing a semblance of closure to the protracted legal saga.
2024: PM Modi’s Inauguration of The Ram Temple:
On January 22, 2024, Prime Minister Modi led the consecration ceremony of the idol of Ram Lalla in the newly-constructed Ayodhya Ram Temple, signifying the conclusion of a 500-year journey fraught with historical, religious, and legal intricacies.
