A historic day for millions of Indians as the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya begins today (August 5,2020). The site of Ram Mandir was under dispute for decades until last year when the SC in November 2019 passed the judgment awarding the Hindu group the ownership of the site.
175 eminent guests were invited including PM Narendra Modi who will mark the start of construction work for Ram Mandir, and including Yogi Adityanath, CM of UP, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagvat.
Here’s the quick timeline of the events that led to today’s historic day: -
- 1528: Babri Masjid is constructed in the site that is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram.
- 1853: First recorded instance of religious violence near the site.
- 1859: Fence erected to allow separate access to both community members.
- 1949: Ram & Sita idols placed inside the site. The government declares the site disputed.
- 1984: Committee created to build a temple on the site.
- 1989: VHP lays the foundation for the Ram temple.
- 1990: BJP supreme LK Advani undertakes ‘Rath Yatra.’
- Dec 6, 1992: Mosque is demolished.
- 1992: Liberhan Commission is formed.
- 2010: Allahabad High Court rules that the site should be split.
- 2011: Supreme Court suspends the HC ruling.
- 2017: SC calls for ‘out of court’ settlement.
- March 2019: SC refers to the case for mediation.
- August 2019: Mediation fails. SC begins day-to-day hearing of the case.
- October 2019: Hearing concludes.
- November 2019: SC awards a Hindu group the ownership of the site. The possession of land will remain with the Central government receiver until a trust, as mandated by the court, is formed. Orders allocating an alternative piece of five acres of land to the Muslims for a mosque.
- December 2019: A review petition in the Supreme Court against its ruling in favor of the Ram temple filed by Maulana Syed Ashhad Rashidi. This is followed by other review petitions. Supreme Court dismisses a bath of review petitions.
- February 2020: The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board decided to accept the five acres allotted to it by the state government for building a mosque.
- 30 July 2020: The Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board formed a 15-member trust to look after the construction of a mosque.
- August 2020: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath says that the COVID-19 protocol will be strictly followed during the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony set to take place on August 5.
