Introduction
Lord Ram, regarded as an incarnation of Vishnu in Hinduism, is featured in the ancient Indian epic, Ramayana, where it is mentioned that he was born in Ayodhya. During the 16th century, Babur launched a series of attacks on temples across northern India, resulting in the destruction of the temple in Ayodhya. Subsequently, the Mughals constructed the Babri Masjid on the same site, believed to be Ram's birthplace, known as the Ram Janmabhoomi.
The earliest documentation of the mosque dates back to 1767, found in the Latin book Descriptio India authored by the Jesuit missionary Joseph Tiefenthaler. According to Tiefenthaler, the mosque was built by demolishing the Ramkot temple, identified as Ram's fort in Ayodhya, and Bedi, the presumed location of Ram's birth.
The first recorded instance of religious violence occurred in 1853. In December 1858, the British administration prohibited Hindus from conducting pujas (rituals) at the disputed site, leading to the construction of a stage outside the mosque for performing the rituals.
Significance of Lord Ram
Lord Ram holds a unique place in Hinduism. Unlike other Gods like Lord Shiva and Vishnu, Lord Ram is not treated as something exclusive and is instead considered as an ideal Man. Indian children are taught values from the Ramayana from a very young age and his actions and teachings are embodied in them. Elected rulers look up to him because of his unbreakable love for his People and his Country.
That is exactly why the movement for the construction of Lord Ram’s temple has such massive support from not just the Political class, but also from the grass roots levels.
The Timeline
1986: The removal of the lock marked a significant turning point as the Babri Masjid was opened for Hindu worship.
1989: The filing of the title suit and the subsequent order for status quo by the Allahabad High Court added fuel to the simmering tensions surrounding the Ayodhya dispute.
1992: The demolition of the Babri Masjid led to the establishment of the Liberhan Commission, tasked with investigating the events that transpired.
1993: The 'Acquisition of Certain Areas at Ayodhya Act' was passed, reflecting the government's attempt to address the sensitive issue through legislative means.
2010: The Allahabad High Court's landmark ruling on a three-way division further intensified the legal intricacies of the dispute.
2019: The Supreme Court's verdict in favor of the Hindu side provided a definitive resolution to the long-standing controversy, but it also stirred debates and discussions on the legal aspects of the case.
December 12, 2019: The Supreme Court dismissed review petitions, solidifying its earlier judgment and bringing a sense of finality to the legal proceedings.
February 5, 2020: The formation of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra trust marked a crucial step in the implementation of the Supreme Court's decision, outlining plans for the construction of a Hindu temple at the disputed site.
August 5, 2020: The laying of the foundation stone by the Prime Minister served as a symbolic moment, initiating the construction of the Ram Temple and symbolizing a new chapter in the history of Ayodhya, albeit one marked by both legal battles and religious significance.
The Long Fight
Abhiram Das, a prominent mahant hailing from Bihar, arrived in Ayodhya during the 1930s with a fervent mission—to restore Lord Ram to his birthplace. Revered as 'Uddharak baba' or the liberator, Abhiram Das played a pivotal role in the events unfolding on the night of December 22-23, 1949, culminating in the installation of an idol of Ram Lalla inside the Babri Masjid. Notably, he was joined by fellow mahants, Ram Chandra Das Paramhans and Vrindavan Das, in this significant undertaking.
Executing a meticulously crafted strategy, Abhiram Das and his counterparts collaborated with officials from the local administration. Together, they surreptitiously transported the idol into the mosque, where they conducted a sacred ritual, illuminating the space with lamps and offering hymns to the deity. The following morning, the astonishing appearance of Ram Lalla beneath the central dome became the subject of widespread conversation, capturing the imagination of the town and echoing far beyond its borders.
Gurudutt Singh emerged as a staunch advocate of the temple campaign, playing a crucial supportive role alongside Abhiram Das. Notably, Singh held the position of Faizabad city magistrate in 1949, a period marked by significant developments in the Ayodhya dispute.
A curious aspect of Singh's involvement in the movement is the reported shared dream with Abhiram Das, wherein both envisioned the divine manifestation of Lord Ram beneath the central dome of the mosque. This spiritual connection further strengthened Singh's resolve in supporting the cause.
On the morning of December 23, 1949, after the idol had been discreetly placed inside the Babri Masjid, Singh is said to have offered prayers, adding a personal and spiritual dimension to the unfolding events. Subsequently, Singh aligned himself with the Jana Sangh, a political organization that later evolved into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Within the circles of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Gurudutt Singh is commemorated as the "first kar sevak," recognizing his pivotal role as one of the early volunteers in the movement to build the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. His commitment and contributions in the formative years of the temple campaign have earned him a lasting legacy within the ideological realms of the RSS.
Kadangalathil Karunakaran Nayar, more commonly known as KK Nayar, held the position of district collector in Faizabad during the pivotal events of 1949 when idols were clandestinely placed inside the Babri Masjid. Ayodhya fell within the administrative jurisdiction of the Faizabad district during that time. Despite facing an order from then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to remove the idols from the mosque, Nayar steadfastly refused to comply. This decision initiated a legal battle between Hindus and Muslims, marking the beginning of the protracted litigation over the Ram Janmabhoomi.
Due to his so-called dereliction of duty alongside Singh, Nayar was subsequently removed from his position. In the aftermath of these events, he aligned himself with the Jana Sangh and went on to secure a seat as a Member of Parliament from Bahraich in the 1967 elections. Concurrently, his wife, Shakuntala Nayar, also entered the political arena and was elected as an MP from Kaisarganj. KK Nayar's journey reflects the intertwining of administrative decisions, political affiliations, and the enduring impact of the Ayodhya dispute on the political landscape of the time.
Umesh Chandra Pandey, a dual-role professional as both a Faizabad lawyer and a journalist, developed a keen interest in the Ayodhya dispute during his journalistic research. In January 1986, he took proactive steps by approaching the Faizabad district court to request the unlocking of the disputed site. Subsequently, on February 1, District Judge KM Pandey issued an order to open the locks that had remained in place since 1949. Within 40 minutes of the court order, the site was unlocked, thrusting the temple movement back into the spotlight.
KK Muhammed, the former regional director of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the North, played a crucial role as a member of the archaeological team led by Prof. BB Lal during the initial excavation at the Ayodhya site in 1976-77. As a special invitee to the recent consecration ceremony, Muhammed, who has restored over 100 Hindu temples, highlighted the significant evidence uncovered during the first excavation. He emphasized the team's findings that pointed to the existence of a temple beneath the Babri mosque.
Despite facing strong criticism, Muhammed staunchly defended Prof. Lal's findings, affirming his own active participation in the excavation and advocating for the construction of a temple at the contentious site. Muhammed drew attention to the substantial work carried out during the second excavation, led by Prof. BR Mani. This subsequent exploration revealed pillars, sculptures, terracotta idols, and inscriptions indicative of a temple at the site.
Muhammed, as the sole Muslim in his excavation team, highlighted a commitment to impartiality. In contrast, during Prof. Mani's excavation, a quarter of the labor force engaged in earthwork comprised Muslims, specifically assigned to prevent any potential bias or manipulation. He underlined the meticulous documentation of the entire process, including videography, ensuring transparency and authenticity in the archaeological findings.
K Parasaran, a retired Supreme Court advocate and former attorney general, served as the senior lawyer representing the Hindu side in the title case. He presented the case on behalf of Ram Lalla Virajman, the infant deity, and is widely credited for securing victory for the Hindu side. Parasaran, known for his profound understanding of constitutional law and Hinduism, was appointed as the inaugural trustee of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in February 2020, overseeing the construction of the temple.
Our history is filled with numerous examples of individuals and organizations who went above and beyond for the creation of the Ram Mandir. Hundreds of volunteers and Bhakts gave away their lives like it was nothing. Now, it is up to us to preserve this legacy and ensure the continued survival and continuation of our religion and culture.
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