A FIGHT ACROSS CENTURIES
The Supreme Court refused to constitute a larger bench to revisit the 1994 verdict that had said a “mosque is not essential to the practise of Islam", paving the way for resumption of the hearing of the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute
1528 Babri Masjid is built 1853
The first recorded incident of violent communal conflict over a dispute that the mosque was built over a temple.
1949
An idol of Ram Lala mysteriously appears inside the mosque. Hindus begin offering prayers. Local Muslims protest and both parties file civil suits. The city magistrate attaches the property and locks the gates but prayers continue.
1986
Faizabad sessions judge allows Hindus to worship at the site.
NOVEMBER 9, 1989
Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi allows shilanyas at an “undisputed site”.
1990
BJP president L K Advani goes on a rath yatra and is arrested at Samastipur, Bihar. Thousands of kar sevaks gather in Ayodhya. The mosque is partially damaged and 30 are killed in police firing.
DECEMBER 6, 1992
The Babri Masjid is demolished. Rioting breaks out all over India, leaving 1,200 people dead.
APRIL 2002
Three Allahabad high court judges begin hearings.
AUGUST 2003
The Archaeological Survey of India claims to have found evidence of a temple beneath the mosque.
JUNE 2009
The Liberhan Commission submits report to then PM Manmohan Singh,
17 years after its formation.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
Allahabad high court rules that the site should be trifurcated between Hindus, Muslims and the Nirmohi Akhara. Control of the main disputed section, where the mosque was torn down, is given to Hindus.
MAY 2011
The Supreme Court suspends the high court ruling.
MARCH 21, 2017
Supreme Court calls for an out of court settlement.
APRIL 19, 2017
Supreme Court says senior BJP leaders LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti and others will be tried for allegedly conspiring to demolish Babri Masjid.
DECEMBER 5, 2017
The Supreme Court decides to hear appeals challenging the 2010 Allahabad High Court verdict
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
Supreme Court refuses to refer petition on whether mosque is an integral part of Islam to a larger bench