A timeline of the Ram Mandir Issue-From 1949 to present times

December 23, 1949

An Idol of Lord Ram is placed in the mosque

In the early hours of the day, an idol of Lord Ram is placed in the central dome of the mosque. The matter goes to court with Hashim Ansari filing a case on behalf of the Muslims and Mahant Paramhans Ramchandra Das doing it for the Hindus. The gates of the mosque are soon locked after the site is declared disputed by the government.

1950

Hindus ask for permission to conduct poojas in the mosque

Mahant Paramhans Ramchandra Das and Gopal Singh Visharad file two separate cases with the Faizabad civil court to continue performing pooja for the installed idols. The court grants permission for this but the gates of the inner inner courtyard remain locked.

1959

Nirmohi Akhara files a case

The Nirmohi Akhara for declaration and possession of the land.

1961

The UP Sunni Waqf Board files a case

The UP Sunni Waqf board files a case claiming ownership of the land.

1986

The Mosque is opened to Hindus

The District court orders the removal of locks and the site is opened for Hindu worshipers. The Babri Masjid Action Committee is formed soon after.

1989

Ram Lalla Virajman files a case too

Lal Lalla Virajman files a case for possession of the land. All 3 petitions pending with the district court are transferred to the High court.

September 25, 1990:

Advani launches his Rath Yatra

L K Advani launches a Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya, to gather support for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s idea of building a Ram Mandir on the disputed site.

November,1990

Advani is arrested

Advani is arrested in Samastipur, Bihar. Despite his arrest, Kar Sevaks continue to march towards the disputed site.

October 30, 1990

Kar Sevaks clash with the police

Despite heavy security by the Mulayam Singh government, kar sevaks manage to enter the mosque. Clashes between the security personnel and Kar Sevaks result in the death of about 20 Kar Sevaks. This gives further impetus to the ongoing riots.

December 6, 1992

Babri Masjid is demolished by the Kar Sevaks

The Babri Masjid is brought down by kar sevaks. The PV Narsimha Rao led government moves court for status quo. Two FIRs are filled in the demolition case -one for the actual demolition by the Kar Sevaks and the other named L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and others for communal speeches before the demolition.

1993

Government takes over the disputed site

Government takes possession of the disputed area, seeks Supreme Court’s opinion on if a temple existed on the site before the mosque was built.

October, 1993

Charges are filed against Advani and other senior BJP leaders

CBI accuses Advani and other leaders of conspiracy.

May 4, 2001

Special Court acquits Advani and others

Special Court Judge S K Shukla drops conspiracy charges against top leaders. Advani, Kalyan Singh and others are acquitted.

March,5 2003

High Court asks ASI to investigate if a temple ever existed on the site.

The Allahabad High court orders the Archaeological Survey of India to investigate the disputed site to determine if a temple existed there prior to the mosque.

August 2003

ASI says remains of a 10th century temple were found

ASI submits report saying that the remains of a 10th century temple was found under the disputed site.

May 20, 2010

Advani and other BJP leaders acquitted by the High Court as well

Allahabad High court upholds the 2001 judgement of the special court that acquitted top BJP leaders.

July 26, 2010

High Court asks the parties to resolve the issue amicably

The High court bench reserves its judgement and advises all involved parties to resolve the issue amicably.

September 30, 2010

High Court pronounces its verdict

Allahabad High court pronounces its verdict on the matter, suggesting a three-way division of the disputed area, between the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and the Ram Lalla Virajman. None of the parties were satisfied.

May 9, 2011

Supreme Court stays the verdict

The Supreme Court stays the High court verdict.

March 6, 2017

CBI insists on reviving conspiracy charges against Advani and others

CBI presess for restoration of criminal conspiracy charges against Advani , Murali Manohar Josh, Uma Bharthi and 17 others.

March 21, 2017

Supreme Court suggests an out of court settlement

After Subramaniam Swamy appealed for an urgent hearing on the long pending matter, the Supreme Court directed the concerned parties to arrive at an out of court settlement. The court was willing to appoint a principal negotiator if both parties so wished.

April 19, 2017

Supreme Court restores charges against Advani and other leaders

The Supreme Court restored criminal conspiracy charges against Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Uma Bharthi and other BJP leaders.

-Chaitali Mendon