Ayodhya Verdict LIVE Updates: Entire Disputed Land Goes to Hindus for Ram Mandir, Muslims to Get 5 Acres of Alternate Land

Ayodhya Verdict LIVE Updates: Entire Disputed Land Goes to Hindus for Ram Mandir, Muslims to Get 5 Acres of Alternate Land

A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and SA Nazeer is likely to deliver its judgment by November 17.
(Photo: File)

Ayodhya Verdict Live Updates: Bringing down curtains on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue, one of the longest running title disputes in India, the Supreme Court has given the entire disputed 2.77-acre land to the Hindu parties with a trust to be formed by the Centre within three months to monitor the construction of a Ram Temple. The Sunni Waqf Board will be given 5 acres of alternate land, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled in the unanimous verdict. The Nirmohi Akhara also suffered a setback with the court saying it is not a ‘shebait’ or devotee of the deity Ram Lalla. The CJI Ranjan Gogoi-led bench of Justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer, said the Akhara's suit was barred by limitation.

The apex court on Saturday said the mosque should be constructed at a "prominent site" and a trust should be formed within three months for the construction of the temple at the site many Hindus believe Lord Ram was born. The site was occupied by the 16th century Babri mosque which was destroyed by Hindu kar sevaks on December 6, 1992.

AYODHYA CASE Live Update:

Nov 09, 04:01 PM (IST)

Ayodhya Verdict LIVE Updates | Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala: Many thanks to the Hon'ble Supreme Court for unanimously resolving the decades-old complicated case. A welcome decision for all parties. I appeal to all the people of the country to show mutual brotherhood.

Nov 09, 04:08 PM (IST)

Ayodhya Verdict LIVE Updates | Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray: I am happy today. All karsevaks who gave sacrifices during the entire struggle…Their sacrifice has not gone waste. Ram temple must be constructed at the earliest. Along with Ram Temple, there should also be Ram Rajya in the nation -- that is my wish.

Nov 09, 04:14 PM (IST)

Ayodhya Verdict LIVE Updates | Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray: Today's day will be written in golden letters in the history of India. Everyone has accepted the verdict. I will be going to Ayodhya on November 24.

16:07 (IST)
Collective Victory for India: Shanta Kumar | Senior BJP leader and Himachal's former Chief Minister Shanta Kumar said the Supreme Court verdict on Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case is a "collective victory for the whole of India". He said the court has given justice to the whole of India by its "historic" decision. "The people of Himachal and especially the people of Palampur are very happy over the verdict because it was in Palampur 30 years ago that the BJP National Working Committee had passed the resolution to build a Lord Ram temple in Ayodhha," he added.

16:04 (IST)
Flag March in Haridwar | Elaborate security arrangements were made in the state ahead of the judgement in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case, CM Trivendra Rawat said. According to police, the flag march to maintain peace was carried out in Jwalapur area of Haridwar, which has a mixed population of Hindus and Muslims. District Magistrate Deependra Kumar Chaudhry and Senior Superintendent of Police Senthil Avoodai Krishna Raj led the march.

15:56 (IST)
Do Not Pay Heed to Rumours: Trivendra Rawat | In Haridwar, the police carried out a flag march in parts the district on Saturday after the Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict amid a call by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat to maintain communal amity. No untoward incident was reported from the state. "We are a peace loving country and we will have to make every effort to maintain communal amity. I hope all of us will contribute towards this with a positive viewpoint," he said, asking people to not pay heed to rumours.

15:50 (IST)
Ayodhya Verdict Will Strengthen Country's Social Fabric: Khattar | Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar called the Supreme Court verdict in the Ayodhya case historic, saying it would further strengthen the country's social fabric. Meanwhile, authorities in Haryana's Mewat region, which has a sizeable Muslim population, had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 till Monday as a precautionary measure. All educational institutions had also been ordered to remain shut from November 9-10, Nuh district Superintendent of Police Sangeeta Kalia said over phone. There have been no reports of any untoward incident in Nuh district after the verdict was pronounced.

15:46 (IST)
"Starting from the beat constable, everyone was briefed and thoroughly explained in all districts so that there is no room for ambiguity. An outreach programme at local police station level has been initiated where people at large have been briefed," Ramasastry said. The officer, however, said that more focus was on social media monitoring and to effectively counter the hate and rumour mongering.  "Whenever a tweet or a post, having a potential to spread disharmony within the public, was seen in social media, the person concerned was reached out within no time.

15:42 (IST)
Around 80 cases have been registered in past 10 days against people using social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to spread wrong information with an aim to trigger communal riots in the state, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) P V Ramasastry said.

15:38 (IST)
Uttar Pradesh Police has adopted a four-pronged strategy to maintain peace in the communally-sensitive state in view of the Supreme Court judgment on the Ayodhya land dispute, a top police officer said today. Police is checking hate and rumour mongers on social networking sites and has launched an extensive public outreach to build confidence of every section of society, he said.

15:13 (IST)
The Left parties said that the Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict should not be seen as a victory for any litigant and no one should indulge in any "provocative acts" in the wake of the order. In a statement, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said while the judgment had provided a judicial resolution to this fractious issue, there are certain premises of the judgment which are "questionable". "The Court judgment has itself stated that the demolition of the Babri Masjid in December 1992 was a violation of the law. This was a criminal act and an assault on the secular principle," the CPI(M) said. "The cases pertaining to the demolition should be expedited and the guilty punished."

15:11 (IST)
Kailash Vijayvargiya Congratulates Countrymen | BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya lauded the Supreme Court for delivering a historic judgement on Ayodhya case and said people should follow the legacy of Lord Ram by spreading the message of love. He also congratulated the countrymen on Ayodhya verdict. "The apex court through this verdict has increased the prestige of the country's judicial system across the globe. We countrymen should also follow the legacy of Lord Ram by spreading the message of mutual love and create an environment to enhance the honour of the country in the world," Vijayvargiya said in a tweet in hindi.

14:58 (IST)
Delhi Police Use Drones to Carry Out Surveillance | Delhi Police on Saturday used drones to carry out surveillance in parts of the national capital in view of the Supreme Court verdict in the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute, case officials said. Drone surveillance, meeting with public and area patrolling were conducted in several parts of the city including areas of northeast Delhi, they said. Prohibitory orders have been issued across the national capital to maintain public order, police said.

14:53 (IST)
Following the Ayodhya verdict, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) issues advisory to all channels and cable TV operators to strictly adhere to the Programme Code during discussion, debates and reporting.

14:47 (IST)
Noida Police Takes 2 Into Preventive Custody for Spreading Rumours | Two people were taken into preventive custody on Saturday for allegedly spreading rumours on the Supreme Court's verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case, police said. "One of them had called up the police on its emergency number 100 to report a planned violence by a community but his claims were found untrue," Senior Superintendent of Police, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Vaibhav Krishna, said. "The other is office bearer of a local political outfit and has a history of making comments and remarks that incite communal discord," he told PTI, adding that both of them have been taken into preventive custody.

14:42 (IST)
Press Statement of Advocate Shri Alok Kumar, Working President VHP: Today is a day of great rejoicing, satisfaction and fulfilment. After 491 years of struggles, numerous battles and innumerable sacrifices for the cause of the Temple at Sri Ram Janma Bhumi in Ayodhya, the Supreme Court of India has finally pronounced the truth and justice of the matter. This verdict, given after a marathon hearing of 40 days/200+ hours and without being distracted by a range of obstacles, is one of the greatest judicial verdicts in the world. The Hindu society the world over, forming one-sixth of the over seven billion global population, had been anxiously waiting for this verdict for nearly 70 years through all judicial processes at all levels. At the end of the day, that wait fructified and justice has prevailed. We express our gratitude to the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India!

14:40 (IST)
"We are fighting for our legal rights. We must reject the 5 acre land. As per my personal opinion we should reject the 5acre land offer as our fight was a right for legal rights. I am only scared that there are many Masjids where the Sangh parivar will claim rights," Owaisi said.

14:39 (IST)
'Entire Country on Road to Being a Hindu Rashtra' | A disenchanted Owaisi went on to say that today’s decision by the Supreme Court on Ayodhya is a victory of faith over facts. "The entire nation is marching on the way of being a ‘Hindu Rashtra’. I am not against peace. Nothing will happen in the country. There will be peace. But truth needs to be spoken. Don’t I have the right to say that I am not satisfied by SC judgement? I am exercising my freedom of expression. There was a mosque and will be there. There cannot be any compromise over it."

14:35 (IST)
'If Babri Masjid Wasn’t Demolished What Would Have Been the Verdict Today', Asks Owaisi | "I want to thank all the lawyers who’ve fought the Babri Masjid case. I believe the Supreme court is ‘Supreme’ but not infallible. People responsible for the Babri Masjid demolition, today are being made the Trust." Owaisi said. He further asked, "Call it travesty or whatever, but if Babri Masjid wasn’t demolished that day what would have been the judgement today?"

14:26 (IST)
In a press conference, Owaisi further expressed his displeasure on the Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict and said that he concurs with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and said that there has been "discrimination against Muslims and no one can deny it." He said, "Muslims are poor, but we’re not in such a state that we cannot buy a land for our Allah. We don’t need a piece of land in charity."

14:12 (IST)
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi's cryptic reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling on the Ayodhya land dispute:

13:41 (IST)
WhatsApp Groups in 'Admin Only' Mode | Several WhatsApp groups on Saturday went on 'admin only' mode with users of the messaging app taking precautions amid reports that security agencies were keeping an eye on the social media in view of the Supreme Court verdict in the Ayodhya case. Soon after news came out on Friday night that the apex court will deliver its verdict the next morning, messages started circulating on WhatsApp groups asking them to go into 'admin only' mode for the next few days to avoid posting of any objectionable content by any member.

13:38 (IST)
Meet Ram Lalla's Advocate, 93-yr-old K Parasaran | Veteran lawyer K Parasaran felt a little bored after the arguments in the Ayodhya case concluded. He didn't know how to spend his time. And why not. At 93, Parasaran has had quite an itinerary for the last eight months as he led the legal battle for the Hindu side in the Ayodhya title land dispute case. A former attorney general, Parasaran was working relentlessly since the Supreme Court embarked upon the legal adjudication of the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute. Read more.

13:29 (IST)
K K Muhammed, former regional director (North), Archaeological Survey of India reacted to the Ayodhya verdict saying,  "On the basis of archaeological and historical evidences that were supplied by ASI, the court came to conclusion that there was a huge magnificent temple earlier and we should build a new temple once more."

13:26 (IST)
Pakistan Foreign Minister Objects to Ayodhya Verdict Timing | Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi objected to the timing of the Ayodhya verdict, which coincides with the inauguration of the Kartarpur corridor, saying he was "deeply saddened" at the "insensitivity" shown at such a joyous occasion. "Could it (verdict) not have waited a few days? I am deeply saddened at the insensitivity shown at such a joyous occasion," Qureshi was quoted as saying by the DawnNewsTV.

12:59 (IST)
Litigant Iqbal Ansari to Not Challenge Ayodhya Verdict |  Expressing satisfaction with the Supreme Court judgment in the Ayodhya case, Iqbal Ansari, one of the litigants, said, "We welcome the Supreme Court decision and the biggest happiness is that it is finally curtains down on this long pending issue," Ansari told PTI on phone from Ayodhya. "We will not challenge the court verdict from our side. We are very happy with the decision. We respect the decision. Now this is the responsibility of the government where it provides land for the mosque. This is a sort of victory of the Muslims."

12:54 (IST)
PM Modi says that the Ayodhya verdict will "further strengthen the confidence of the common man in judicial processes."

12:52 (IST)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted drawing attention to the importance of taking the legal course in resolving disputes following the Supreme Court's verdict in the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case.

12:44 (IST)
The verdict was read out by a five-judge constitution bench led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi and also comprising CJI-designate SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer. Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, who retires on November 17, decided the date of the verdict in consultation with four other judges after 40 days of daily hearing, making it the second-longest hearing in the top court.

12:40 (IST)
Who is Ram Lalla Virajman? | At the heart of this judgment is a question of faith and history and the divine infant, Ram Lalla Virajman. Under the law, a Hindu deity can be considered a ‘juristic person’ with the right to be sued or to sue and the apex court began hearing the case, where Ram Lalla was a plaintiff, on August 6. Like other Hindu deities, the Ayodhya deity — the infant form of Lord Ram — was deemed a perpetual minor under law. The idea of a Hindu deity as a juristic personality is unique. Unlike English common law, the Hindu deity gets its juristic personality from the piety of the worshippers. In this case, the infant Lord Rama was represented by his next ‘human’ friend, Triloki Nath Pandey — a senior VHP leader who is among the litigants in this case. Read more.

12:36 (IST)
NCP Hopes No New Issue Crops Up in Name of Religion | The NCP hoped no new dispute crops up in the country in the name of religion following the supreme court verdict on Saturday that cleared the way for the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya. NCP chief spokesperson Nawab Malik said it had been the position of the party to accept the SC verdict. "It has been our position right from the beginning that we will accept the supreme court verdict and all should accept it. Hope no new dispute crops up in the country in the name of religion," Malik tweeted.

12:34 (IST)
Yediyurappa Urges People to 'Wholeheartedly Welcome' Supreme Court Verdict | Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa urged people of the state to "wholeheartedly welcome" the Supreme court verdict in the sensitive Ayodhya land dispute case, and not to react "emotionally." He said, the judgement is neither a victory, nor a defeat for anyone. "Let us all wholeheartedly welcome the apex court verdict. This is neither a victory for anyone, nor a defeat for anyone. Don't react emotionally. Let the harmony and peace prevail. #AYODHYAVERDICT #AyodhyaCase" Yediyurappa tweeted.

12:28 (IST)
Amit Shah Welcomes SC Verdict, Makes an Appeal | Welcoming the unanimous SC verdict on the contentious Ayodhya title dispute case, Union Home Minister Amit Shah writes, " I appeal to people of all communities and religions to accept this decision with ease and remain committed to our resolve of 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat', full of peace and harmony."

12:26 (IST)
Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani calls the SC verdict onn Ayodhya a 'balanced one' that has avoided all religious aspects. "Nothing controversial has gone into, the matter has been treated as a simple title suit that has mainly decided on the question of possession," he says, as he hopes that the verdict will "put a complete halt ot the controversey".

The Ayodhya title suit verdict came nine years after the 2:1 judgment of the Allahabad High Court that ordered a three-way division of the disputed 2.77 acres of land between the three parties — Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board and the Nirmohi Akhara. The Lucknow Bench had ruled that Hindus and Muslims would be joint title holders of the disputed land.

The bench said possession of the disputed 2.77 acre land rights will be handed over to the deity Ram Lalla, who is one of the three litigants in the case. The possession, however, will remain with a central government receiver. The Supreme Court said the Hindus have established their case that they were in possession of outer courtyard and the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board has failed to establish its case in the Ayodhya dispute.

Delivering its verdict in the politically-sensitive case of Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute in Ayodhya, the apex court directed allotment of alternative land to Muslims to build a new mosque. The apex court said the extensive nature of Hindus worshipping at outer courtyard at the disputed site has been there, and the evidence suggests the Muslims offered Friday prayers at mosque which indicates that they had not lost possession of the site.

It said that despite obstruction caused in offering prayers at Mosque, the evidences suggest that there was no abandonment in offering prayers. The apex court further said that the underlying structure below the disputed site at Ayodhya was not an Islamic structure, but the ASI has not established whether a temple was demolished to build a mosque.

It said that terming the archeological evidence as merely an opinion would be a great disservice to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The court also said that the Hindus consider the disputed site as the birthplace of Lord Ram and even Muslims say this about that place.

The faith of the Hindus that Lord Ram was born at the demolished structure is undisputed, the apex court said. The bench said the existence of Sita Rasoi, Ram Chabutra and Bhandar grih are the testimony of the religious fact of the place.

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The apex court said however that the title cannot be established on the ground of faith and belief and they are only indicators for deciding the dispute.