The SC also wants to solve the 60-year-old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute is expected tomorrow as the Supreme Court takes a final call on whether it would order a formal mediation. Despite the disapproval of most of the parties involved, the court is in favour of mediation in the case.
A five-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, had said the case was not about property, but “mind, heart and healing — if possible”.
The dispute involves 2.77 acres of land in Ayodhya where a 16th Century mosque, said to be built by Mughal emperor Babur, stood. The Hindu activists who razed it in December 1992, believe that it was built on the ruins of an ancient temple marking the birthplace of Lord Ram.
The Sunni Waqf Board, which ready to give mediation a shot, is concerned about privacy during the negotiations. The Nirmohi Akhara, one of the Hindu petitioners in the case, has also agreed for mediation.The apex court also agreed to appoint a mediator in the case,after the hearing section, today.
After the court’s fresh call for negotiations, the Hindu groups contended that the public would not accept a solution arrived at through mediation. The advocate representing Ram Lalla said the Ram Janmabhoomi was a matter of faith and therefore non-negotiable.
Mediation will push back any possibility of an early beginning of the construction of the Ram temple, the top priority of right-wing groups ahead of the coming national elections.