Ramjanma Bhumi – Babri Masjid Issue, a Socio-Political Vehicle: SCWB

Uttar Pradesh, Sunni Central Wakf Board (SCWB), termed the civil suit filed by Ramjanmabhumi Nyas, one of the Hindu parties to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, as a ‘socio-political vehicle’ for the organization. And, it gives a political overtone to the Ayodhya Ram temple campaign.

Highlighting the issue, the board’s counsel and senior advocate, Rajeev Dhavan, stressed on the political nature of the temple movement. He contended, “Thus it is clear that suit no.5 was a socio-political vehicle for the Nyas, pointing to the future and trying to reiterate the past to serve the future”.  

Dhawan was addressing a bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and comprising justices SA Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer, which is hearing appeals against the September 30, 2010 verdict of the Allahabad high court dividing the disputed 2.77 acres in Ayodhya into three equal parts to be given to the Sunni Waqf Board, Nirmohi Akhara and the organization representing Ram Lalla, the infant deity.

Large sections of Hindus believe that the 16th century Babri mosque was built over a temple dedicated to the Hindu warrior-god, Ram, whose birthplace is also considered to be at the site.

In December 1992, a mob of thousands demolished the mosque during a campaign for the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site.

“The main ‘purpose and direction’ of the suit filed by the trust was to remove all the existing structures and destroy it to the extent required. The karseva done for the proposed temple was completely political. For these all Vishwa Hindu Parishad had collected consecrated stones from across the country”, said Dhawan.