AYODHYA’S TRYST WITH DESTINY
HISTORY August 5 will stand as a symbol of sacrifices for temple just as August 15 symbolises freedom struggle: Modi FAITH PM performs prayers, lays first brick of temple at grand ceremony, devotees celebrate occasion nationwide
AYODHYA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the first brick of the Ram Mandir at a grand “bhoomi pujan” ceremony in Ayodhya on Wednesday, and said that August 5 will stand as a symbol of the commitment of several generations that devoted their lives to the construction of the temple, just as August 15 symbolises the sacrifices of countless Indians for Independence.
Modi spoke of Ram as a thread of India’s unity in diversity, referring to the multiplicity of Ramayanas across the country, highlighting Ram’s appeal across the world, and distilling Ram’s messages — of social harmony, non-discrimination, care for the poor, protecting those who seek refuge, and commitment to the motherland. He also said that the more power a nation has, the greater is its capacity for friendship. These were all messages widely read in sync with India’s contemporary governance and security priorities.
In the backdrop of the protracted political, social and legal dispute that has marked the issue of the Ram temple, Modi added that the temple should be constructed on the foundation of mutual love and brotherhood, and it was only through everyone’s participation (“sabka saath”) and with everyone’s trust (“sabka vishwas”) that India can achieve development for everyone (“sabka vikas”). He also pointed to the economic benefits of the temple for the wider Ayodhya region, where pilgrims from across the world would come to pray.
The beginning of the construction comes after a 135-yearold legal dispute culminated when the Supreme Court, last November, awarded the disputed land to Hindu parties. It also comes in the wake of a three-decade-long mobilisation by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological affiliates, and the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 -- an act declared illegal by the same SC verdict -- that led to communal violence and deaths in various parts of the country.
The event was preceded by days of preparation and festivities in Ayodhya. Modi landed in the town on Wednesday morning, visited the Hanuman Garhi temple, planted a tree, participated in the rituals associated with bhoomi pujan, and then released a special postal stamp on the occasion.
He then addressed a select audience, carefully curated due to pandemic-related restrictions, but his speech was beamed across the country. The event also saw the participation of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat as a special guest — a rare occasion when the PM and the RSS chief shared the stage and spoke on the same platform. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and the head of the RamTempletrust,NrityaGopalDasalsospokeatthefunction following the bhoomi pujan ceremony.
Aug 15 is embodiment of sacrifices of lakhs of people and a deep yearning for Independence... generations have made selfless sacrifices for the construction of the Ram temple.
NARENDRA MODI, PM
1528: Babri Masjid built
1959: Nirmohi Akhara files suit, seeking possession of the site 1981: UP Sunni Central Waqf Board files suit for possession of the site DEC 6, 1992 : Babri Masjid structure demolished
MAY 9, 2011 : SC stays HC verdict on Ayodhya land dispute
SEP 30, 2010: In a 2:1 majority, HC rules the division of disputed area among Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and
Ram Lalla
2002: Allahabad HC begins hearing on determining who owns the disputed site
OCT 24, 1994: In the historic Ismail Faruqui case, SC says that a mosque is not integral to practicing Islam
FEB 26, 2016: Subramanian Swamy files plea in SC seeking construction of Ram Temple at the disputed site
MAR 21, 2017: Then CJI JS Khehar suggests out-of-court settlement among the litigants
JULY 20, 2018:
SC reserves verdict
APRIL 6, 2018: Rajeev Dhavan files plea in SC to refer the issue of reconsideration of the observations in its 1994 judgment to a larger bench
MAR 14, 2018: SC rejects all interim pleas, including Swamy’s, seeking to intervene as parties in the case
FEB 8, 2018: SC starts hearing the civil appeals
AUG 7, 2017: SC constitutes a three-judge bench to hear pleas challenging the 1994 verdict
SEP 27, 2018: SC declines to refer the case to a 5-judge Constitution bench, says civil suit will be heard by a 3-judge bench from Oct 29 but it later referred the matter to a special bench
JAN 25, 2019: Special Constitution bench is formed to hear the case
MARCH 8, 2019: SC refers the matter for mediation to a panel headed by retired SC judge FMI Kalifulla
AUG 2, 2019: The mediation proceedings did not result in any final settlement, the mediation panel said
AUG 5, 2020: PM lays the first brick of the Ram Mandir at a grand “bhoomi pujan” ceremony in Ayodhya
FEB 5, 2020: PM Modi announces the decision to set up a temple trust to build the Ram temple
NOV 9, 2019: SC rules in favour of Ram Lalla, the child deity, and orders that a separate plot of five acres be allotted to the Muslim parties for a mosque OCT 16, 2019: SC reserves judgment, closes arguments AUG 6, 2019: Five-judge Constitution bench begins hearing the title dispute