Ayodhya case: Mediators given time till August 15 by SC
It came for the hearing, somebody wanted more time, extension was granted. Yes, we are talking about the sensitive Ayodhya case. The constitution bench headed by CJI Ranjan Gogoi took up the case today, and gave the mediation panel time till August 15. To recall, the bench including Justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and Abdul Nazeer, had referred the case for mediation on March 8.
A bit about the history of Ayodhya dispute
The Ayodhya dispute pertains to 2.77 acres of land. In December 1992, 16th-century Babri Masjid was razed by Hindu activists. The activists believed the mosque was constructed on a site where Lord Rama took human form. In 2010, Allahabad High Court divided the land equally among Ram Lalla, Sunni Waqf Board, and Nirmohi Akhara. Dissatisfied with the verdict, all parties approached the apex court.
After years of delay, SC formed a mediation panel
Earlier this year, the panel opined that mediation should be given a chance. For this purpose, the top court formed a panel chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Fakkir Mohamed Ibrahim Kalifulla. Spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and senior lawyer Sriram Panchu are the other members of the panel. The bench underlined that the panelists can induct more members.
Bench said healing should be given a chance
Justice Bobde had commented they can't undo the past but can look forward to healing. To recall, the Babri Masjid demolition led to widespread communal riots in the country and is seen as one of the darkest chapters in modern history. The bench had ordered that the proceedings of the panel should remain confidential to ensure it isn't hampered by "unwanted comments and controversies".
Notably, Hindu side was skeptical about mediation, bench convinced them
When the bench proposed mediation as an option, it found resistance from the Hindu side. Advocate Hari Shankar Jain, who represented a faction of Hindu Mahasabha, said mediation won't work and there "cannot be any compromise". However, Sunni Waqf Board and Nirmohi Akhada approved the idea. After a lot of conversations, the bench concluded that amicable talks should be given a fair chance.
