Hindu samaj is gearing up for the pran pratishta of Sri Ram at Ayodhya’s Sri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir. The Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra (SRJBT) Trust is making preparations for the mega event where lakhs of Hindus are expected. HinduPost takes a look at the 500 years struggle of Hindus.
Ram Janmbhoomi movement
The Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute traces back to the sixteenth century when, under Babur’s instructions, the Babri Masjid was built over an existing Hindu temple in Ayodhya. Historical records indicate the mosque was constructed in 1528-29 to symbolize Islamic rule over the Hindu site. Tensions between Hindus and Muslims persisted over the centuries, with legal involvement beginning in 1853 during British rule.
The Faizabad District Court in 1853 awarded the outer courtyard to Hindus and the mosque to Muslims. In 1857, after the First War of Independence, Hindu Sadhus recaptured the area outside the mosque, establishing a plinth for worship. Legal appeals for temple construction were rejected in 1885. The movement to reclaim the land gained momentum in the twentieth century, with disputes not only between Hindus and Muslims but also among different Muslim factions.
In 1949, murtis of Bhagwan Ram and His brothers were found inside the mosque, leading to tensions. Jawaharlal Nehru ordered their removal, but local authorities refused, resulting in the site being declared disputed. Post-independence, various petitions were filed, with the movement intensifying in the 1980s when the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) became involved.
In 1986, the Faizabad Court ordered the unlocking of the premises for Hindu worship. The BJP’s resolution in 1989 and LK Advani’s Rath Yatra further fueled the demand for the return of the site to Hindus. The demolition of the Babri Masjid on 6 December 1992, marked a turning point, triggering a prolonged legal battle. The Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in November 2019 awarded the entire 2.77 acres of land to Hindus for the construction of the Ram Mandir, concluding a centuries-old dispute.
HinduPost documentary
The HinduPost documentary highlights the prolonged struggle for regaining Ram Janmbhoomi. It captures the visual beauty of the under construction Ram Mandir. SRJB Trust’s Shri Champat Rai has narrated the entire sequence of events. He also recalled the sacrifices of numerous Karsewaks. Many of the Karsewaks were aged merely between 18 and 20. It is the sacrifices of these youngsters that has allowed us to enjoy the fruits in the form of a grand Ram Mandir. The documentary is also a tribute to the karsewaks who laid down their lives.
