The disputed land at Ayodhya in Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh has always played major role in disturbing the communal harmony of India.
Ayodhya dispute at a glance:
The main issues revolve around access to the birthplace of the Hindu God Rama, the history and location of the Babri Mosque at the site, and whether a previous Hindu temple was demolished or modified to create the mosque.
The tension started with the Mughal emperor Babar, who entered India after defeating Hindu King Rana Sangram Singh in 1527. Babar made his general Mir Banki in-charge of the area. Banki visited Ayodhya in 1528 and reportedly built a mosque destroying a Hindu Temple.
The first Hindu-Muslim riot broke out over the issue in 1853 during British rule. Following the clashes, the then British government erected fences around the place to devide the Hindu-Muslim worship area. Muslims were allowed to offer prayers inner part of the mosque and Hindus to worship outer side of the disputed construction.
In the year 1949, the both communities moved the court claiming ownership of the land. Later, the Faizabad District Magistrate declared the place as disputed land and locked the main door of Babri Masjid.
On January 16, 1950, one Gopalsingh Visharad filed a petition in Faizabad district court seeking rights for Hindus to visit their lord and offer pujas to Ramlala.
In a retaliating suit, the Babri Masjid side also filed a petition on February 21, 1950, claiming that the land should be handed over to Muslims because structure was built by Babar’s General Mir Banki in 1528. Anger Hindus hold massive demonstration outside the court against the petition.
In the year 1959, the Nirmohi Akhara had filed a claim petition in the court and requested transfer of land from the