12 February 2024 – The Indian Express

A Solution for Ramrajya: Ram Mandir

• With the Pran Pratishtha, or consecration ceremony, a 500-year quest for an Ayodhya Ram Mandir came to an end, marking a momentous occasion. This, according to the prime minister, is the culmination of a lengthy wait. He emphasised that fair and unbiased construction methods were used to build the temple honouring Lord Ram, a symbol of justice. He thanks the Indian judiciary for defending justice’s fundamental values.
• Even if the Ram Temple has been built, the main goal is to keep religious conflicts in India from happening again. It is essential that everyone respect Dharma and the precepts of Ram Rajya.
• What Significant Occurrences Concerning the Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir Controversy?
• Built in 1529 by Mir Baqi, the Babri Mosque was a 16th-century mosque in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Many Hindus also hold the belief that Lord Ram (Shri Ram Janmabhoomi) was born at the mosque’s location.
• Conflicts about who owns the land have resulted from this on several occasions.
• Ram Idol appears within the mosque in December 1949.

Three Crucial Title Outfits:

• Nirmohi Akhara filed a title action in 1959. The Ram Janmabhoomi’s legitimate manager, according to the Nirmohi Akhara, is itself.
• The complaint was also filed in 1961 by the Sunni Waqf Board, also known as the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Board of Waqfs. The Board asserts that it owns the mosque.
• Senior attorney Deoki N. Agarwal filed a lawsuit at the Allahabad High Court in 1989 on Lord Ram’s behalf. Every earlier lawsuit was transferred to the High Court.
• September 25, 1990: Rath Yatra: To encourage support for the Movement, LK Advani organises a Rath Yatra from Somnath, Gujarat, to Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
• On December 6, 1992, a violent Karsevak mob destroyed the Babri Mosque. In its place, the Karsevaks leave behind an improvised temple.
• January 7, 1993: The government issues an ordinance to acquire 67.7 acres of land in Ayodhya.
• April 2002: The Ayodhya Title Dispute is heard by the Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow Bench.
• On January 8, 2019, CJI listed the case before a five-judge Constitution Bench using his administrative authority.
• On March 8, 2019, the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court issued an order for mediation that will be overseen by the court.
• On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court rendered its decision.
• contested land awarded to Deity Ram Lalla: The Supreme Court resolved the dispute by awarding the full 2.77 acres of contested land to the deity Ram Lalla, one of the three claimants in the case, in a unanimous ruling.
• Land for Mosque Construction: The court also allotted five acres in a prominent location in Ayodhya for the construction of a mosque, in addition to the land for the temple.
• What Justified the Supreme Court’s Decision to Support Ram Mandir Construction?
• Competing claims over the contested location: The contested location was subject to competing claims held by Muslims and Hindus. But the Hindus’ more convincing proof of their ongoing worship at the contested structure played a significant role in the Court’s ruling.
• Absence of Exclusive Muslim Possession: The Muslim parties did not provide any proof that their ownership of the contested building was exclusive or that Hindus were excluded from the namaz (prayer) offering.
• Ownership of the Exterior Courtyard: The court stated that Muslims had never owned the exterior courtyard at the site under question. Even though there were competing claims to the inner courtyard, Muslims did not leave the mosque until December 1949, when namaz was performed.
• Failure of the Sunni Waqf Board to prove Ownership: The Court also took into account the fact that the Sunni Waqf Board was unable to prove ownership through either waqf (dedication by user) or adverse possession.
• Trust for Temple Construction: The Centre, which had purchased the contested land and the surrounding lands, was ordered by the Supreme Court to establish a trust in order to proceed with the construction of the temple. This was a component of the decision that settled the conflict and made it easier to build the Ram temple there.
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report was cited by the Supreme Court in its ruling. It noted that the Babri Masjid, which was erected on the disputed site and demolished in 1992, was not constructed on vacant land and that there was proof of the existence of a temple-like structure on the property prior to the mosque’s construction.
• theory of Essentiality: The Supreme Court used the theory of essential religious activities in delivering its ruling. It made reference to the 1994 decision of M. Ismail Faruqi v. Union of India, in which the Supreme Court ruled that Muslims might give namaz (prayer) anywhere, including in public, and that a mosque was not a necessary component of practicing Islam.

Why Is the Ram Mandir’s Construction Important?

• Moment of Triumph: The building of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is a momentous occasion that heralds the resolution of a protracted dispute and the start of a new era in Indian history.
• Religious Significance: According to Hindu tradition, Ram, one of the most well-known gods in the Hindu pantheon, was born at this same location in Ayodhya. The temple is home to his hallowed dwelling.
• Symbol of Faith: On the spot where many Hindus think Ram was born, Ram Mandir is currently being constructed. The majority of Hindus retain idols of Lord Ram in their homes, and millions of them worship him with the deep belief that repeating his name will bring prosperity and calm in difficult times.
• Temple Economy: These projects are anticipated to establish Ayodhya as a significant religious hub in the nation, which will boost trade and economic activity in the surrounding area as a result of improved connectivity.
• Every year, millions of pilgrims visit the Tirupati temple, a prominent pilgrimage site that greatly stimulates the local economy.
• Institutional Nucleus: The temple might serve as the centre around which philanthropic establishments like hospitals and schools expand.
• Social cohesiveness: The Ram temple will convey a greater message of cohesiveness and cultural harmony than just the symbolism of a Hindu god. It is the use of divinity to manipulate society. It might end up serving as the nation’s unifying factor.
• Cultural diplomacy: In addition to being a major religious influence in India, Ram’s divinity is also deeply ingrained in the cultures of countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Malaysia. This will help India’s cultural diplomacy much more.

How can a democracy such as India be imbued with the values of Lord Rama?

Advancing the Dharma, or righteousness:

• Urge public officials and citizens to live morally and ethically upright lives in all spheres.
• Stress the value of being truthful, honourable, and equitable in both private and public interactions.

Fairness and Justice:

• Provide a strong, unbiased legal system that guarantees justice to all citizens, regardless of their circumstances.
• Encourage equitable treatment and equal opportunity for all people, regardless of their socioeconomic background, caste, or religion.

Including All in Governance:

• Encourage the development of an inclusive political system that reflects the many viewpoints and voices of the populace.
• Encourage policies that meet the concerns of marginalized communities, ensuring that development benefits reach all segments of society.

Servant Leadership:

• Encourage the notion that leaders should be people’s servants, with an emphasis on the growth and well-being of the community.
• Motivate political leaders to be modest, compassionate, and dedicated to serving the public good.

Peace in the Community:

• Stress community cohesion and peace while shunning polarising factors that could spark disputes.
• Promote communication and mutual comprehension between various populations, cultivating an atmosphere of acceptance and harmony.
• As articulated by the Prime Minister, there would be physical as well as verbal means to bridge the gap between Ram and Rashtra. Outreach to the minority population, those who disapproved of the Mandir movement, and everyone who is still uneasy about the consequences of temple consecration will all be necessary. In this polarised age, it will necessitate the determined search for common ground.