Why Modi's Petition on Ram Janmabhoomi Is a Trump Card

The Modi government today, on Tuesday, filed a petition in the Supreme Court to hand over the 67 acres of undisputed Ram Janmabhoomi land to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas (trust).

The dispute of Ram Janmabhoomi is over only 2.77 acres of land, regarding which the Prayagraj High Court had delivered its judgment and the suit is pending in the Supreme Court. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad-led Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas had acquired the 67 acres of land surrounding the Ram Janmabhoomi as donations from various temples, organizations, and institutions for this Nyas, and had also purchased some land. The trust led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad had purchased this land specifically for the construction of a grand temple at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi. Accordingly, a map of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi was also prepared, and the work of stone carving had also commenced, which continues uninterrupted to this day.

That 67 acres of land was acquired by the Central Government in 1991 in light of the then-ongoing Ram Janmabhoomi movement. In 1993, the Supreme Court, while ordering the maintenance of status quo on this acquired land, had stated that the Central Government should not return this land to any party until the judgment in this suit is delivered. The Central Government has stated in its petition to the Supreme Court that there is no dispute over this acquired land. Therefore, there is no need to maintain status quo on it. Hence, the Supreme Court should amend its status quo order of 31 March 2003 or withdraw that order and grant permission to return this land to its original owner, the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas.

The Centre has stated that the Muslim party had appealed in the Supreme Court against the Ayodhya Land Acquisition Act of 1993, in which they had claimed rights over only 0.313 acres of land. The Muslim party has never laid claim to the remaining land. The petition states that in the Ismail Faruqui case, the Supreme Court had said that the matter of the acquisition of the 67 acres of land surrounding the disputed land could be considered by the government after the Prayagraj High Court's decision on the civil suit. The Centre argues that the Prayagraj High Court has delivered its judgment, and the suit against it is pending in the Supreme Court. Keeping the land under the control of the Central Government for an aimless purpose is unwarranted, and it would be better to return the excess land to its original owners. It has sought permission from the Supreme Court to return a portion of this land to the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas.

Ayodhya Case: Modi Government reaches Supreme Court, says return the undisputed land

The Narasimha Rao government had submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court regarding the acquisition of the 67 acres of undisputed land. The Modi government at the Centre is seeking permission to withdraw that affidavit. Since this land acquisition was done by the Central Government, the right to release this land also rests with the Central Government. In light of the ongoing title suit, the Central Government had submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court, which is why seeking the withdrawal of the affidavit and permission to release the land from the Supreme Court is a necessary legal procedure today. The Modi government has approached the Supreme Court in compliance with this very legal procedure.

It is worth noting that the hearing on the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi dispute in the Supreme Court was scheduled for today, 29 January. However, the hearing had to be postponed due to the absence of Justice S.A. Bobde on medical grounds. Along with Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, the five-judge Constitution Bench includes Justice Chandrachud, Justice Ashok Bhushan, and Justice Abdul Nazeer. In the previously constituted five-judge bench, Justice U.U. Lalit was included, but the Muslim party's counsel, Rajeev Dhavan, raised objections against him, accepting which Justice U.U. Lalit recused himself from this Constitution Bench. Following this, when the Chief Justice constituted the new bench, Justice Abdul Nazeer was included in it.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Welcomes the Move

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has welcomed this petition of the Central Government. The Dharma Sansad (parliament of religions) organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad at the Prayagraj Kumbh is scheduled to begin on 31 January, where deliberations on Ram Janmabhoomi are certain to take place. This step by the Central Government ahead of the congregation of sadhus (ascetics) and saints is highly welcome. The Central Government has exerted strong pressure against the Supreme Court's policy of dilly-dallying on this case. It should be noted that this petition of the Central Government is not a matter for the Constitution Bench. Its hearing is bound to be conducted by a bench of just one or two judges. And the Supreme Court does not have any major role to play in this hearing either. It only has to return the Centre's affidavit and amend or withdraw its old order.

PM Modi had previously stated in an interview to ANI that once the decision is delivered by the honorable court, we are ready to fulfill whatever responsibility falls upon the Central Government. He had also said that we would not interfere until the Supreme Court's process is complete. Remaining steadfast on its legally sound stance, the government has placed a just demand before the Supreme Court. The PM had also said, "Congress lawyers in the Supreme Court are trying to drag out the matter. The PM had appealed to them not to make efforts to delay this matter and let the court make a swift decision." However, from the attitude of the court, it now appears that the court's decision might not come before the Lok Sabha elections. But the petition to return the acquired land is the Modi government's trump card, leaving all opponents stunned and speechless. Through this petition, the Modi government has clearly demonstrated its intent and commitment regarding Shri Ram Janmabhoomi.

– Shri Murari Sharan Shukla, the author is a senior journalist and nationalist thinker.

Read Also,

Ancient Idols of Lord Ram and Sita Found in Excavation in Jharkhand

December 1992 – Political and Cultural Implications

Know What is the Relationship Between Kailash Mansarovar and Ram Janmabhoomi?