In a momentous occasion, the ‘Pran Pratishtha‘ ceremony at Ayodhya’s Ram Janmabhoomi Temple witnessed the unveiling of the Ram Lalla idol, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the proceedings. It was a profound and unforgettable moment, deeply rooted in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, and it brought together not only prominent figures like RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath but also captured the attention of the world. The event’s global significance was underlined by the presence of prominent personalities from various fields and fervent celebrations by the Indian diaspora worldwide. This grand ceremony not only united the nation but also highlighted the rich cultural tapestry and unity that define India.
The inauguration of the Ram Mandir itself is a significant event, given the long-standing dispute over the land and the temple’s construction. After many years of waiting, it is finally taking place, and the occasion is nothing less than Diwali for the people of India.
Let’s recall the timeline of the Ayodhya land dispute leading up to the inauguration and the leaders who contributed to the creation of the Ram Temple:
Timeline:
- December 6, 1992: The Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid structure was demolished.
- April 3, 1993: The Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Act was passed for the acquisition of land by the Centre in the disputed area.
- April 2002: The High Court began hearings to determine the ownership of the disputed site.
- September 30, 2010: In a 2:1 majority, the High Court ruled for the division of the disputed area between the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara, and Ram Lalla.
- May 9, 2011: The Supreme Court stayed the High Court verdict on the Ayodhya land dispute.
- August 7, 2017: The Supreme Court constituted a three-judge bench to hear pleas challenging the 1994 verdict of the Allahabad High Court.
- December 1, 2017: 32 civil rights activists filed a plea challenging the 2010 verdict of the Allahabad High Court.
- September 27, 2018: The Supreme Court declined to refer the case to a five-judge Constitution bench.
- January 2019: The Supreme Court set up a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi to hear the case.
- November 9, 2019: The Supreme Court delivered a landmark verdict, ending the 70-year dispute and ordering that the disputed 2.77 acres of land be transferred to a trust, to be set up by the Indian Government, for the construction of the Ram Temple. The apex court also ordered allocating five acres to Muslims in Ayodhya for building a mosque.
- August 5, 2020: Indian PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Ram Mandir.
- January 22, 2024: The Pran Pratishtha (consecration ceremony) of Ram Lalla’s idol is scheduled to take place.
INDIAN LEADERS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE CREATION OF RAM TEMPLE:
The main figure who took the initiative in the reconstruction of the Temple, launching a nationwide Rath Yatra in 1990, was Mr. L.K. Advani.
Other prominent leaders who played crucial roles include Bal Thackeray, Pramod Mahajan, Ashok Singhal, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharti, Sadhvi Ritambara, Kalyan Singh, Vinay Katiyar, Pravin Togadia, Vishnu Hari Dalmia, K. Parasaran, K.K. Muhammed, and Narendra Modi.
