Table of Contents
Today, January 22, 2024, holds great significance for Ram devotees worldwide as the idol of Lord Shri Ram was consecrated in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The Ram temple is poised to become a symbol of faith for Hindus not only in India but across the globe. This historic event in Ayodhya concludes a legal battle spanning 134 years and establishes the foundation for a grand temple, marking a major center of faith for Hindus globally. The journey leading to this momentous occasion was filled with challenges, legal disputes, and political turmoil
The Controversial Beginnings of Ayodhya : 1528 – 1853
The roots of the Ayodhya dispute stretch back to 1528 when Mughal ruler Babar’s Subedar Mir Baqi constructed the Babri Masjid at the purported birthplace of Lord Ram. Throughout the Mughal and Nawab rule from 1528 to 1853, Hindus were unable to assert their claims effectively. With the weakening of Mughal and Nawab authority in the 19th century and the onset of British rule, Hindus began advocating for the restoration of Lord Ram’s birthplace
Legal Battles Emerge: 1858 – 1949
The legal battle officially commenced in 1858, 330 years after the construction of Babri Masjid, when the first FIR was filed against performing havan and puja on the premises. The struggle gained momentum in 1949 when statues were revealed under the dome within the structure. This revelation marked a turning point, and legal cases were filed by Hindu Mahasabha members demanding the right to worship the idols.
Legal Maneuvers and Challenges: 1950 – 1986
The first trial post-independence occurred in 1950 when Gopal Singh Visharad and Mahant Ramchandra Paramhans filed cases demanding worship rights. In 1959, Nirmohi Akhara filed a case staking their claim on the site. The legal battles continued through the 1980s, with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad launching a campaign for the liberation of Hindu shrines in 1982
The Demolition and Aftermath: 1992 – 1993
The controversial structure at the disputed site met its demise on December 6, 1992, when thousands of Kar Sevaks demolished it. A temporary temple was erected, leading to political repercussions and communal violence. In 1993, permission for darshan and worship was granted, and the Central Government acquired 67 acres of land, setting the stage for further legal developments
Landmark Judgment: 2010 – 2019
The Allahabad High Court’s historic decision in 2010 ordered the division of the site among Shri Ram Lala Virajman, Nirmohi Akhara, and Sunni Central Waqf Board. The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, which, on November 9, 2019, declared the site as Shri Ram Janmabhoomi. The court allotted 2.77 acres to Ramlala, rejecting the claims of Nirmohi Akhara and Sunni Waqf Board. The construction of the temple was greenlit with instructions to form a trust.
The Dawn of Construction: 2020 – 2024
With the legal battles concluded, the construction phase commenced. On February 5, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, and on August 5, 2020, the foundation stone of the Ram temple was laid. The first phase of the temple was completed, leading to the consecration of Ramlala on January 22, 2024.