Friday, October 1, 2010

Ayodhya Time line 

The dispute in Ayodhya regarding the structure has been a flashpoint of violence between Hindus and Muslims for decades. Here’s a look at the troubled history of the disputed holy site.

A cross-section of the Hindu community believes that in the 12th century, a temple is built in honour of Lord Rama in Ayodhya.

1528

The Babri Mosque is build by Babar’s general, Mir Baqi, on the orders of the Mughal leader Babur post destruction of the Ram Mandir.

1853

First recorded Hindu-Muslim clashes at the site.

1859

The British administration erects a fence to separate the places of worship, allowing the inner court to be used by Muslims and the outer court by Hindus.

1949

Idols of Lord Rama appear inside mosque allegedly placed there by Hindus. Muslims protest, and both parties file civil suits. The government proclaims the premises a disputed area and locks the gates.

1984

Spearheaded by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad party, Hindus form a committee to liberate the disputed site and build a Ram temple there. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Lal Krishna Advani takes over leadership of campaign. Congress leader none other than Mr.Rajiv Gandhi performs Shilanyasa as advised by his coluegues like Mr.Buta Singh

1986

District judge orders the gates of the Babri mosque to be opened to allow Hindus to worship there. In protest, Muslims set up Babri Mosque Action Committee. Mulayam Singh  approves shooting order on Sadhus protesting

1989

VHP steps up their campaign to construct the Ram Mandir, laying the foundations on land adjacent to the disputed mosque.

1990

VHP activists partially damage the mosque, Prime minister Chandra Shekhar tries to resolve the dispute through negotiations. L K Advani takes out a rath yatra to build the Ram temple.

1992

The mosque is demolished by the supporters of VHP, Shiv Sena and BJP, stirring up nationwide riots between Hindus and Muslims in which more than 2,000 people die. Congress Govt Dismisses BJP ruled sates like UP, MP, HP

1992

Government announces the setting up of the justice MS Liberhan commission to inquire into the conspiracy to demolish the Babri mosque.

2001

Tensions rise on the anniversary of the demolition of the mosque. VHP pledges again to build Hindu temple at the site.

2002

Vajpayee sets up an Ayodhya cell and appoints a senior official, Shatrughna Singh, to hold talks with Hindu and Muslim leaders.

2002

VHP confirms deadline of 15 March to begin construction. Hundreds of volunteers converge on site. At least 58 people are killed in an attack on a train in Godhra, which is carrying Hindu activists returning from Ayodhya.

2002

Between 1,000 and 2,000 people, mostly Muslims, die in riots in Gujarat following the train attack.

2002

Three High Court judges begin hearings on determining who owns the religious site.

2003

Archaeologists begin a court-ordered survey to find out whether a temple to Lord Rama existed on the site. The survey says there is evidence of a temple beneath the mosque, but Muslims dispute the findings.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee says at the funeral of Hindu activist Ramchandra Das Paramhans that he will fulfil the dying man’s wishes and build a temple at Ayodhya.

2004

LK Advani says the BJP still has unwavering commitment to building a temple at Ayodhya, which he said was inevitable.

September, 2005

The Union government extends the term of the Liberhan Ayodhya Commission by three months.

April, 2007

S C dismisses a petition seeking initiation of contempt of court proceedings against the centre, the state of UP and others for violating the Court’s order of 1992 directing status quo on the disputed land following demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.

October, 2007

Fifteen persons, including a lawyer, accused of burning nine persons alive in the communal riots that broke out in Kanpur in the aftermath of Babri Masjid demolition in December 1992 were sentenced to life by a local court.

February, 2009

Former BJP leader Kalyan Singh said he owned total responsibility for the demolition of the Babri Masjid when he was the CM of UP in 1992.

June, 2009

Liberhan commission submitted its report to PM Manmohan Singh, 17 years after it was set up. The commission, which got 48 extensions, submitted the report in the presence of Home Minister P Chidambaram.

July, 2009

UP govt seeks a probe by the CBI into the disappearance of 23 files relating to the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmbhoomi case.

November, 2009

Eighth witness of the CBI in the Babri masjid demolition case, Mr Chandra Kishore Mishra said that LK Advani gave provocative speeches before the mosque was demolished.

November, 2009

Home Minister P Chidambaram tabled the Liberhan Commission Inquiry report in the Lok Sabha.

July, 2010

Allahabad HC asked parties in the Ayodhya case to find a compromise before the final verdict. The court said that the parties could inform the officer on special duty of the court if there is any possibility of out-of-court settlement until delivery of judgment.

September, 2010

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court says it will pronounce its judgment on case on September 24.

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