The Supreme Court of India delivered its historic verdict on the Ayodhya dispute on November 9, 2019. This judgment brought closure to a long-standing and highly sensitive legal, religious, and political conflict concerning the disputed site in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
Background of the Case:
The dispute centered on a plot of land where the Babri Masjid once stood before it was demolished in 1992 by kar sevaks claiming the site was the birthplace of Lord Ram. Multiple legal suits had been filed over the decades by both Hindu and Muslim groups seeking possession of the land.
Supreme Court Verdict:
A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, unanimously held that:
1. The entire 2.77-acre disputed land was to be handed over to a trust to build a Ram Temple.
2. The Sunni Waqf Board was to be allotted an alternative 5-acre plot of land at a prominent site in Ayodhya for the construction of a mosque.
3. The court acknowledged that the demolition of the Babri Masjid was unlawful but also stated that the Hindu side had presented better evidence of continued worship at the site.
Significance:
The judgment was praised for maintaining communal harmony and providing a legal resolution to one of India's most contentious issues. It was based on archaeological, historical, and legal evidence and emphasized the rule of law over religious sentiments.
Conclusion:
The Supreme Court of India gave its verdict on the Ayodhya dispute in the year 2019.
Therefore, the correct answer is: 2019.