Muslims to Get 5 Acre in Ayodhya: Here’s What SC Said About Mosque

Babri Masjid demolition in December 1992 was against rule of law, the Supreme Court Bench observed.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Anup Chandra Pandey on Friday, 8 November, reached the Supreme Court along with other senior officials to meet Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. 

(Photo: The Quint)

The Supreme Court on Saturday, 9 November, directed that Hindus get the disputed land, subject to conditions. The inner courtyard will be handed over to a Centre-led Trust and a suitable plot of land measuring 5 acres shall be given to Sunni Waqf Board.

Sunni Waqf Board lawyer Zafaryab Jilani said that they “respected” the judgment and will soon decide their future course of action.

What has the five-judge Constitution Bench said regarding the petition of the Sunni Waqf Board? Here’s what we know:

5-Acre Plot to Be Given to Sunni Waqf Board

The Bench directed that a suitable plot of land, measuring 5 acres, shall be given to Sunni Central Waqf Board, either by the Central government or the State government.

The land should be allotted under 1993 Act in a suitable place in Ayodhya, according to Bar & Bench. Under the Ayodhya Act 1993, the central government acquired 68 acres of land, including the premises in dispute.

Setting aside the Allahabad High Court’s judgment, the Bench said the 2010 verdict was wrong in dividing the disputed site into three parts.

At Liberty to Build Mosque

The Sunni Wakf Board is at liberty to take steps for the construction of a mosque in the allotted land.

Kamal Faruqui, member, All India Muslim Personal Law Board, reacting to the verdict told ANI, “Even if we get 100 acres, of what use will that be? 67 acres of our land has already been acquired so what are we getting in return? We are getting just 5 acres in exchange for 67 acres? How is this justice?”

Babri Masjid Demolition Against Law

Destruction of Babri Masjid in December 1992 was against the rule of law.