Indian court reserves order on mediation in mosque case

By Ahmad Adil

CHANDIGARH, India (AA) - The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday reserved its verdict on whether to order mediation in the dispute surrounding the Babri Masjid, a 16th century mosque that was demolished by far-right Hindu groups in 1992 causing nationwide riots, local media reported.

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi heard the case on Wednesday and asked all sides to suggest names of mediators before reserving the verdict, according to local broadcaster local News18.

“We all have read the history. We are trying to tell that we have no control over what happened in the past […] We cannot undo that,” local broadcaster News18 quoted Justice SA Bobde as saying.

He said the court is more concerned about the present state of the case.

Sunni Waqf Board, a legal body that oversee properties of Sunni Muslims, and Nirmohi Akhara, a group of Hindu ascetics devoted to Lord Ram, have agreed to mediation; while a lawyer representing deity Ram Lalla Virajman, the third main litigant in the case, resisted it saying “their right on the land where Lord Ram was born is non-negotiable”.

On Feb. 26, the court had suggested an amicable resolution to the dispute.

"Even if there is one percent chance of amicable resolution, it should be given a try [...] We are seriously considering this option. Mediation will be a confidential process too," the broadcaster had quoted a judge as saying.

Muslims leaders say they will cooperate with the Supreme Court’s directives.

“We will agree to what court directs. We have never seen a case like this where mediation have taken place. Let the honorable court issues the order and we can know more about it,” Zafaryab Jilani, a senior advocate and convener of Babri Masjid Action Committee, told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.

- Babri Mosque dispute

The Babri Mosque is said to have been built by Mughal Emperor Babur in 1526.

In 1885, a Hindu religious body filed a case in Faizabad court asking for permission to construct a temple to honor Ram inside the premises of the Babri Mosque. The permission was denied.

In 1949, a group of Hindus entered the premises of the mosque and installed an idol of Ram there. The idol was not removed and it was locked by the administration. However, an official and a Hindu priest were given charge to look after the place.

In 1986, the district administration of Faizabad, under which Ayodhya city comes, opened the premises to Hindus, allowing them to carry out their rituals.

The situation remained calm until December 1992, when thousands of activists belonging to extremist Hindu groups and political parties along with BJP leaders entered Babri Mosque and demolished it.

The case over the dispute has been languishing in India’s legal system for years without any final outcome.