Ayodhya
The bench, also comprising justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S A Nazeer, asked several questions to Parasaran on legal issues like law of limitation, doctrine of adverse possession and questions as to how Muslims are ousted from seeking title over 2.77 acre disputed land at Ayodhya.
The bench asked whether Muslims can seek a decree of declaration with regard to the disputed property even after the demolition of the alleged mosque on December 6, 1992.
“They say, once a mosque always a mosque, do you support this,” the bench asked Parasaran. “No. I do not support it. I will say once a temple always a temple,” Parasaran replied.
The bench said that it has been argued by the Muslim parties that they can seek a decree of declaration for the property even if the building in question was no more in existence.
After the bench asked a volley of questions to Parasaran, the CJI said: “Mr Dhavan are we asking sufficient number of questions to the Hindu parties now.”
The observation assumes significance as senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for the Muslim parties, had alleged on Monday that questions are asked only from them and not posed to the Hindu side during the hearings in the Ram JanmabhoomiBabri Masjid land title case.
“Your Lordship didn’t ask question to the other side. All the questions have been asked to us only. Of course, we are answering them,” Dhavan had said on Monday.
A large section of Hindus beli eves t he 1 6 t h century mosque, Babri Masjid, was built over a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Ram, whose birthplace is also considered to be at the site. The mosque was demolished by a mob of thousands in 1992, triggering a cycle of violence and riots across India.
The top court on March 8 asked the contesting parties to explore the possibility of mediation to resolve the long-pending dispute amicably. A three-member panel led by retired judge justice FM Ibrahim Kalifulla and comprising Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu tried to work out a resolution but failed.
The court started hearing the case in August. civil liberties and fundamental rights of the citizens, the women said they feel “betrayed, humiliated and violated as people”. They also demanded immediate release of detainees and demilitarization of rural and urban areas.
A lockdown and communication blackout was imposed in Kashmir while hundreds of political workers and leaders, including former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, were detained to prevent prot ests against t he change t o J&K’S constitutional status and reorganisation. Most of the restrictions have since been eased with post-paid mobile services being restored on Monday.