The Supreme Court is set to commence the final hearing in the Ayodhya land dispute case from Tuesday, 5 December, a day before the 25th anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid.
But, what do the people of Ayodhya think should be the verdict? Some believe that while it was about time the matter was sorted out in court, the involvement of politicians was delaying its resolution.
If the temple is built by consensus of both sides, then that would be great because it’s unwise to fight. This is a religious place. Lord Rama was born here, so his temple should be built. Most of the Muslims agree with this. But this will not happen soon. The political people involved in this don’t want this issue to be sorted.Local resident, Ayodhya
On the other hand, there were some who want to see the Ram Mandir being built in their lifetime.
I think a verdict will be announced soon. I have been waiting for it since I was born. I want to see the temple in this life.Tara Yadav, local, Ayodhya
In 2010, the Allahabad High Court, in its verdict, had divided the disputed 2.77 acre area among the three parties involved – Lord Rama Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board and the Nirmohi Akhara. It has been seven years since that verdict, and litigants on either side are confident of a verdict in their favour.
VHP member Sharad Sharma said that most historians agree on the existence of Ram Janmbhoomi, and hence the evidence is with them.
We are confident that the verdict will be in our favour as it was in 2010. I believe that in the coming days, the court will find that the evidences are in our favour. Most historians also agree on Ram Janmbhoomi.Sharad Sharma, member, VHP
Meanwhile, Iqbal Ansari, one of the litigants in the Ayodhya dispute, said that the court takes facts into account, not faith.
The court makes a decision based on facts, not faith. We don’t believe in faith, we believe in facts. If someone says that this is my house, will you believe him (on his words)? The Supreme Court will take a good judgement. The entire country and the world witnessed the demolition of the (Babri) mosque. Hence, the proof is with us. We are 100 percent confident that verdict will be in our favour.Iqbal Ansari, litigant
A specially constituted bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices Ashok Bhushan and Abdul Nazeer will be hearing a total of 13 appeals filed against the 2010 judgement of the Allahabad High Court in four civil suits.
Video Editor: Mohd Ibrahim
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