Ram Mandir: A Resolution to Ramrajya

The Pran Pratishtha, or consecration ceremony, marked a significant milestone, bringing an end to a 500-year quest for a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The Prime Minister marked this event as the end of a long wait. He highlighted that the construction of the temple dedicated to Lord Ram, symbolizing justice, was carried out in a fair and impartial manner. He expresses gratitude to the Indian judiciary for safeguarding the principles of justice.

While the Ram Temple is now a reality, the paramount concern is to prevent the recurrence of religious disputes in India. It is imperative for everyone to adhere to the principles of Ram Rajya and uphold Dharma.

What are the Key Events in the Babri Masjid – Ram Mandir Controversy?

• 1529: Babri Mosque constructed by Mir Baqi: Babri Masjid was a 16th-century mosque located in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The site of the mosque is also believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram (Shri Ram Janmabhoomi) by a large number of Hindus.
  • This has repeatedly led to disputes about who possesses the land.
• Dec 1949: Ram Idol Appears inside the Mosque.
• Three Key Title Suits :
  • In 1959, the Nirmohi Akhara filed a title suit . The Nirmohi Akhara claims it is the rightful manager of the Ram Janmabhoomi.
  • In 1961, the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Board of Waqfs (hereafter Sunni Waqf Board) also filed a suit. The Board claims possession of the mosque.
  • In 1989, senior advocate Deoki N Agarwal filed a suit on behalf of Lord Ram in the Allahabad High Court. All prior suits were moved to the High Court.
• September 25^th, 1990: Rath Yatra – LK Advani launches a Rath Yatra from Somnath (Gujarat) to Ayodhya (UP) to incite support for the Movement.
• December 6^th, 1992: Babri demolished – Babri Mosque razed by a violent mob of Karsevaks. The Karsevaks leave behind a makeshift temple in its place.
• January 7^th, 1993: State acquires Ayodhya land – Government issues an ordinance acquiring 67.7 acres of land.
• April 2002: The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court begins hearing the Ayodhya Title Dispute.
• January 8^th, 2019: CJI used his administrative powers to list the matter before a 5 judge Constitution Bench.
• March 8^th, 2019: Supreme Court orders mediation – The Constitution Bench orders court-monitored mediation.
• November 9^th, 2019- Supreme Court delivered its final verdict-
  • Disputed land granted to Deity Ram Lalla: The Supreme Court, through a unanimous verdict, settled the dispute by granting the entire 2.77-acre disputed land for the construction of a temple dedicated to the deity Ram Lalla, one of the three claimants in the case.
  • Land for Mosque Construction: In addition to the land for the temple, the court allocated five acres at a prominent place in Ayodhya for the construction of a mosque.

What was the Basis of the Supreme Court Ruling in Favour of Ram Mandir Construction?

• Competing Rights over the Disputed Site: Both Hindus and Muslims had competing rights over the disputed site. However, the Hindus showed better evidence of their continuous worship at the disputed structure, which was a key factor in the Court's decision.
• Lack of Exclusive Muslim Possession: There was no evidence produced by the Muslim parties that indicated their possession of the disputed structure was exclusive and that the offering of namaz (prayer) was exclusionary of Hindus.
• Possession of the Outer Courtyard: The court noted that Muslims had never been in possession of the outer courtyard of the disputed site. While the inner courtyard was a contested site with conflicting claims, there was no abandonment of the mosque by Muslims as namaz was offered till December 1949.
• Sunni Waqf Board’s Failure to Establish Ownership: The Sunni Waqf Board did not succeed in establishing ownership through adverse possession or through waqf (dedication by user), which was another significant factor considered by the Court.
• Trust for Temple Construction: The Supreme Court directed the Centre, which had acquired the disputed land and adjacent areas, to set up a trust for the construction of the temple. This was part of the verdict to resolve the dispute and facilitate the construction of the Ram temple at the site.
• ASI Report: In its judgment, the Supreme Court referred to an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report to observe that the Babri Masjid, which stood on the disputed site until its demolition in 1992, was not built on vacant land and that there was evidence of a temple-like structure having existed on the land before the mosque was built.
• Doctrine of Essentiality: While delivering the judgment, the Supreme Court applied the doctrine of essential religious practices. It referred to the M Ismail Faruqi vs Union of India case (1994) in which the Supreme Court had held, “Mosque is not an essential part of the practice of the religion of Islam and namaz (prayer) by Muslims can be offered anywhere, even in open.”

What Makes the Construction of the Ram Mandir Significant?

• Moment of Triumph: The construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is a significant event that marks the end of a long-standing dispute and the beginning of a new chapter in India’s history.
• Religious Significance: The temple is the sacred abode of one of the Hindu pantheon’s most popular gods, Ram, who Hindus believe was born at the exact site in Ayodhya.
• Symbol of Faith: Ram Mandir is being built on the site that many Hindus believe to be the birthplace of Ram. Millions of Hindus worship Lord Ram with an intense belief that chanting his name in times of adversity will bring peace and prosperity, and most of those who practice Hinduism keep idols of Ram in their homes.
• Temple Economy: These initiatives are expected to turn Ayodhya into a major spiritual center in the country, which will spur business and economic activity in the wider region due to enhanced connectivity.
  • The Tirupati temple, a major pilgrimage site, draws millions of devotees annually, significantly boosting the local economy.
• Nucleus Institution: The temple could act as a nucleus around which charitable institutions such as schools and hospitals can grow.
• Social Cohesion: The Ram temple will go beyond the symbolism of a Hindu deity to signal a larger message of cohesion and cultural synthesis. It is social engineering through invoking divinity. It may prove as the binding thread of the nation
• Cultural Diplomacy: Ram's divinity not only holds sway as a prominent religious influence in India but also constitutes an integral part of the cultural heritage in nations such as Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Malaysia. This will additionally strengthen India's cultural diplomacy.

How can the values of Lord Rama be inculcated in a Democracy like India?

• Promoting Dharma (Righteousness):
  • Encourage leaders and citizens to uphold moral and ethical principles in all aspects of life.
  • Emphasize the importance of honesty, integrity, and fairness in personal and public dealings.
• Justice and Fairness:
  • Establish a robust and impartial judicial system that ensures justice for all citizens, regardless of their background.
  • Promote equal opportunities and fair treatment for all individuals, irrespective of caste, religion, or socio-economic status.
• Inclusive Governance:
  • Foster an inclusive political system that represents the diverse voices and perspectives of the population.
  • Encourage policies that address the needs of marginalized communities, ensuring that development benefits reach all segments of society.
• Servant Leadership:
  • Promote the idea of leaders as servants of the people, focusing on the well-being and development of the community.
  • Encourage humility, compassion, and a commitment to public service among political leaders.
• Community Harmony:
  • Emphasize communal harmony and unity, discouraging divisive elements that may lead to conflicts.
  • Encourage dialogue and understanding among different communities, fostering a spirit of tolerance and coexistence.

Conclusion:

The distance between Ram and rashtra, as the Prime Minister framed it, will be bridged not just by words but on the ground. It will call for outreach to the minority community; those who were not a part of the Mandir movement; and all those who remain apprehensive about the reverberations of temple consecration. It will require, in an age of polarization, the determined exploring of common ground.

Drishti Mains Question: Discuss how the path to achieving 'Ramrajya' involves resolving issues and promoting social harmony.