Verdict on Ayodhya row today
500 HELD AS PRECAUTIONARY STEP, TROOPS DEPLOYED IN AYODHYA
India’s Supreme Court will today pronounce its verdict in a decades-old land title dispute between Muslims and Hindus on a site in Ayodhya where Hindu hardliners demolished a 16th century mosque in 1992.
The Indian Supreme Court will deliver its landmark verdict on the Ayodhya dispute at 10.30am today, ending decades of uncertainty on the issue.
The five-judge bench of the Supreme Court had concluded the hearing in the case and reserved its verdict last month. The apex court heard a batch of petitions challenging September 30, 2010, Allahabad High Court judgment trifurcating the 2.77 acres of the disputed land at Ayodhya into three equal parts among Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board, and Nirmohi Akhara.
Earlier police arrested more than 500 people, with authorities fearing the verdict could trigger unrest. Thousands of paramilitaries have already been sent to the northern city.
Hindu hardliners want a temple built on the site, currently barricaded off decades after a 16th-century mosque there was demolished in 1992 which caused riots that left 2,000 people dead. Hindus believe the mosque was built over the site of the birthplace of their deity Ram.
Meanwhile UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath yesterday issued an appeal asking people not to see the final Ayodhya verdict by the Supreme Court as a victory or defeat.
The chief minister has asked people not to believe rumours and work together for peace. He warned of strict action against those who violate law.
The state government has closed all schools, colleges, educational institutions and training centres from November 9 to 11.
The Karnataka government also declared holiday for all schools and colleges across the city today.