ANI
Sabke Ram: In a momentous ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, adorned with nearly 400 pillars, 44 doors, and a pristine idol of Lord Ram. The event drew dignitaries, religious leaders, politicians, and Bollywood celebrities.
The roots of the Ram Temple movement trace back to 1528 when Mir Baqi, a Mughal commander, built the Babri Masjid. The belief in its construction over a Hindu temple laid the foundation for a 500-year debate and tensions between communities.
Historian Balbir Punj notes that the Marathas sought control of Ayodhya, Kashi, and Mathura in 1751, setting the stage for prolonged contentions. This period marked the emergence of multiple claims over Ayodhya.
Nihang Sikhs endeavored to claim Babri Masjid as Lord Ram's birthplace in 1858. This incident foreshadowed future conflicts, with the Supreme Court acknowledging the claim in its 2019 ruling.
In 1885, priest Raghubar Das filed the first legal suit, seeking permission to build a temple in the outer courtyard. Though dismissed, it set a legal precedent, maintaining the dispute's vitality.
The placement of 'Ram Lalla' idols inside Babri Masjid in 1949 intensified religious sentiments, sparking legal battles over ownership. This marked the first courtroom clash over the property.
The subsequent decade witnessed a surge in legal suits, with Nirmohi Akhara claiming worship rights and the Sunni Central Waqf Board seeking possession of the site. The legal intricacies deepened.
In 1986, during the Congress government led by Rajiv Gandhi, the locks of Babri Masjid were opened, allowing Hindu worship. This move heightened tensions and became a pivotal moment in the Ram Janmabhoomi narrative.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) set a deadline for Ram Mandir construction in 1990, escalating demands. LK Advani's Rath Yatra mobilized political support, marking a significant shift in the movement.
1992 witnessed the infamous demolition of Babri Masjid by Hindu activists, altering Indian politics. Despite assurances to the Supreme Court, the cataclysmic event unfolded, leading to widespread repercussions.
Communal riots erupted in the aftermath of the demolition in 1993-94, resulting in loss of lives and properties. The PV Narasimha Rao-led government's acquisition faced legal challenges but was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1994.
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.
After 16 years and 399 sittings, the Liberhan Commission submitted its report in 2009, naming key leaders involved in the Babri Masjid demolition. The Allahabad High Court's 2010 verdict attempted resolution but faced appeals.
In a landmark 2019 judgment, the Supreme Court awarded the disputed land to Hindus for the Ram Temple and allocated an alternate site for a mosque, concluding a long legal battle.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in August 2020, marking the initiation of the Ram Temple's construction. The formation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust further facilitated the process.
On January 22, 2024, Prime Minister Modi led the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla's idol in the newly-built Ayodhya temple.
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