In a major development, the Supreme Court, by 2:1 majority verdict, refused to refer Ayodhya-Ram Janmabhoomi land dispute case to a larger bench. The judgment categorically stated that Mosque is not essential to Islam. It means that all the attempts made by the opposition to delay the hearing of Ayodhya case till after 2019 elections has suffered an abject failure. Furthermore, the verdict has cleared the way for Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Justice Abdul Nazeer was at loggerheads with the majority opinion. Justice Ashok Bhushan authored the majority judgment for himself as well as for the Chief Justice Dipak Misra.
Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Ashok Bhushan made it clear that the observations made in paragraph 52 of Dr M Ismail Faruqui versus Union of India judgment that mosque was not an essential part of Islam and Namaz can be offered anywhere have to be understood in the specific context of land acquisition proceedings. It also observed that any religious place cannot enjoy immunity from compulsory acquisition, and the observations with respect to mosque were made in that context.
Justice Ashok Bhushan said that the eminent domain principle gives power to the State to acquire temples, mosques, churches and other places of worship.
The judgment written by Justice Ashok Bhushan for himself and CJI Misra maintained that the 1994 Ismail Faruqui judgment was only in relation to land acquisition and is not concerned with the Ayodhya case. Incidentally, this was the very same judgment used by the opposition to delay the proceedings on the Ram Mandir case. Now that the SC has removed the main delaying tactic altogether and has cleared the way for the construction of the glorious Ram Mandir.
The Apex Court said that various petitions in relation to Ayodhya case will be heard from 29 October onwards. Acknowledging the fact that the wait for Mandir has been very long, SC also fast-tracked the case.
SC's split 2-1 verdict on Ayodhya will speed up #RamMandir case. Fast-track hearings to begin Oct 29. CJI Dipak Misra, days before his retirement on Oct 2, delivers a parting shot to his detractors who tried to intimidate him with the gang of 4 presser and bogus Judge Loya case
— Minhaz Merchant (@MinhazMerchant) September 27, 2018
Reacting to the Supreme Court verdict, BJP leader and the Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy, speaking to Times Now, said that now the judgment on the Ayodhya land title case was not far. Swamy said his fundamental right to pray supersedes the Sunni Waqf Board’s ordinary right to property and hence the court will ultimately rule in favour of Hindus.” He also said that today’s ruling has cleared a roadblock in the path of the construction of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. He further added that this ruling will ensure that the matter is now expedited. Swamy further added, “I would like the temple to be constructed before Diwali.”
Alok Kumar, VHP Working President on Ayodhya matter (Ismail Faruqui case) said, “I am satisfied that this impediment has been defeated. The way is now clear for the hearing of Ram janmabhoomi appeals.”
I am satisfied that this impediment has been defeated. The way is now clear for the hearing of Ram janmabhoomi appeals: Alok Kumar, VHP Working President on Ayodhya matter (Ismail Faruqui case) pic.twitter.com/bvAgVYRzNA
— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2018
This is a landmark Supreme Court judgment in many respects. Ayodhya is an integral part of Hindu identity and construction of the long-awaited Ram Mandir bolster the Hindu unity. People whose parents dedicated their entire lives to the Ram Janambhoomi movement expressed their happiness on various social media platforms. Today’s Supreme Court verdict is a crucial step towards reviving the glory of Bharat and reclaiming its glorious past.
