The Babri Masjid Case A History of Conflict and Controversy

The Babri Masjid Case A History of Conflict and Controversy

The Babri Masjid was a 16th-century mosque located in Ayodhya, a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The mosque was destroyed in 1992 by a group of Hindu nationalists, who believed that the mosque was built on the birthplace of the Hindu deity Lord Ram. The destruction of the mosque sparked widespread communal violence between Hindus and Muslims in India, leading to the death of over 2,000 people.

The case related to the destruction of the Babri Masjid has been ongoing for many years, with various legal proceedings taking place in both the Indian courts and at the international level. In 2010, the Indian Supreme Court ruled that the site of the Babri Masjid should be divided into three parts, with two parts going to Hindu groups and one part going to a Muslim group. However, this ruling was appealed by various parties, and the case has continued to be litigated in the courts.

The Babri Masjid case has had significant political and social implications in India, with many people viewing it as a symbol of the tensions and divisions between Hindus and Muslims in the country. The case has also garnered international attention, with various human rights groups and international organizations calling for a resolution to the dispute and for justice to be served for the victims of the violence that occurred in 1992.

Also read: India-European Union (EU) relations

Here are some additional key points on the Babri Masjid case:

• The origins of the dispute go back to the 16th century, when the Babri Masjid was built by the Mughal Emperor Babur. The mosque was located on a site that was believed by some Hindus to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, and over the years, there have been various disputes between Hindus and Muslims over the control of the site.
• In 1949, Hindus placed an idol of Lord Ram inside the mosque, leading to the barricading of the mosque and the start of legal proceedings. In 1986, the government allowed Hindus to begin performing puja (worship) at the site, leading to further tensions between Hindus and Muslims.
• In 1992, a large group of Hindu nationalists destroyed the Babri Masjid, leading to widespread communal violence and the deaths of over 2,000 people. In the aftermath of the violence, various criminal cases were filed against those who were involved in the destruction of the mosque, and the site has remained disputed since then.
• In 2010, the Indian Supreme Court ruled that the site of the Babri Masjid should be divided into three parts, with two parts going to Hindu groups and one part going to a Muslim group. However, this ruling was appealed by various parties, and the case has continued to be litigated in the courts.
• In November 2019, the Indian Supreme Court delivered its verdict on the Babri Masjid case, ruling that the site should be given to a trust to be set up by the Indian government, which would oversee the construction of a temple to Lord Ram. The verdict was seen as a victory for Hindu groups, but it was also met with criticism by some Muslims, who felt that the decision was unfair and violated their rights.
• The Babri Masjid case has had significant political and social implications in India, with many people viewing it as a symbol of the tensions and divisions between Hindus and Muslims in the country. The case has also garnered international attention, with various human rights groups and international organizations calling for a resolution to the dispute and for justice to be served for the victims of the violence that occurred in 1992.

• The Babri Masjid case has been a highly controversial and polarizing issue in India, with many people taking strong positions on either side of the dispute. In the years leading up to the Supreme Court’s verdict, there were widespread fears that the ruling could lead to further communal tensions and violence.
• In the wake of the Supreme Court’s verdict, some Hindu groups have celebrated the decision as a victory, while some Muslim groups have expressed disappointment and anger. Some Muslim organizations have called for a review of the verdict, and there have been protests in various parts of the country.
• The government has sought to reassure Muslims that their rights will be protected and that the construction of the temple will be carried out in a peaceful manner. However, some Muslim groups have expressed concerns that the government has not done enough to address their grievances and to ensure that they are treated fairly.
• There have also been concerns that the Babri Masjid case could have wider implications for the relationship between Hindus and Muslims in India. Some people have argued that the dispute has highlighted the deep-seated biases and prejudices that exist in Indian society, and that more needs to be done to promote mutual understanding and respect between the two communities.
• The Babri Masjid case has also attracted attention from international organizations and human rights groups, who have called for a resolution to the dispute and for justice to be served for the victims of the violence that occurred in 1992. Some groups have raised concerns about the treatment of Muslims in India, and have called on the government to do more to protect the rights of minorities and to promote harmony between different religious communities.

• Current Verdict on this case 2023

The current verdict on the Babri Masjid case is that the site should be given to a trust to be set up by the Indian government, which will oversee the construction of a temple to Lord Ram. This verdict was delivered by the Indian Supreme Court on November 9, 2019, after a long and complex legal process that lasted for over 25 years.

The case was argued by a number of lawyers representing various parties, including the Indian government, the Hindu groups, and the Muslim groups. Some of the key lawyers involved in the case include:

• K. Parasaran: Mr. Parasaran represented the Hindu Mahasabha, a Hindu nationalist organization, in the Babri Masjid case. He argued that the site of the mosque was the birthplace of Lord Ram and that the Hindus had a right to build a temple there.
• Kapil Sibal: Mr. Sibal represented the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board, a Muslim group that claimed ownership of the site of the Babri Masjid. He argued that the mosque was an important place of worship for Muslims and that the Hindus had no right to build a temple on the site.
• Rajeev Dhavan: Mr. Dhavan represented the Babri Masjid Action Committee, a Muslim group that sought to protect the rights of Muslims in the Babri Masjid case. He argued that the Hindus had no legal right to the site of the mosque and that the Muslims should be allowed to rebuild the mosque.
• C.S. Vaidyanathan: Mr. Vaidyanathan represented the deity of Lord Ram in the Babri Masjid case. He argued that the Hindus had a right to worship at the site and that the construction of a temple there was a matter of faith.