The recent judgement of the Supreme Court in relation to the Ayodhya land dispute has drawn attention for its notable affirmations and directives. Notably, the court echoed the conclusion of the Liberhan Commission (1992) that the demolition of the Babri Masjid was a planned activity. Simultaneously, it paved the way for the creation of a Ram Temple at the disputed site. The ruling also instructed the Centre to dispense a 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for mosque construction.
Understanding the Liberhan Commission
Established on 16th December 1992, the Liberhan Commission of Inquiry emerged in the wake of the Babri Masjid demolition, occurring just 10 days after the event. Serving as a one-man commission, Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan spearheaded the investigation. The commission aimed to unravel the sequence of events culminating in the incidents at the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid complex on 6th December, 1992.
Although initial stipulations mandated the submission of the Commission’s report within a three-month period, the complexity and scale of the task led to 48 extensions of this deadline. This turn of events resulted in the Liberhan Commission securing its spot as the longest Commission of Inquiry in Independent India’s history.
Key Findings and Recommendations
The report compiled by the Liberhan Commission revealed a planned and systematic approach to the Babri Masjid’s demolition. It attributed this activity to the deliberately constructed atmosphere of communal intolerance, put in place by religious extremists.
This revelation led the Commission to propose a law penalizing the misuse of religion for the acquisition of political power. The suggested legislation would seek to ensure accountability and enforce punitive measures for such actions.
| Date of Establishment | Head of Commission | Task | Submission Deadline | Extensions Granted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16th December, 1992 | Justice Manmohan Singh Liberhan | Investigation of the sequence of events leading to the incidents at Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid complex | 3 months | 48 |
Implications of the Supreme Court’s Judgement
The Supreme Court’s judgement signifies a crucial turning point in the Ayodhya land dispute. The court’s acknowledgement of the Liberhan Commission’s conclusion underscores the gravity of the misuse of religion for political gain and the deliberate fanning of communal intolerance. Meanwhile, its directive on the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site and allotment of land to the Sunni Waqf Board for a mosque signals an attempt to foster mutual understanding and co-existence among different religious communities. Thus, the ruling offers a vital lesson on the importance of religious harmony, while simultaneously addressing millennia-old disputes.
Last Modified: February 6, 2024