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Ayodhya verdict: Indian top court gives holy site to Hindus | Ayodhya verdict: Indian top court gives holy site to Hindus |
(32 minutes later) | |
The disputed holy site of Ayodhya in northern India should be given to Hindus who want a temple built there, the country's Supreme Court has ruled. | The disputed holy site of Ayodhya in northern India should be given to Hindus who want a temple built there, the country's Supreme Court has ruled. |
The case, which has been bitterly contested for decades by Hindus and Muslims, centres on the ownership of the land in Uttar Pradesh state. | |
Muslims would get another plot of land to construct a mosque, the court said. | Muslims would get another plot of land to construct a mosque, the court said. |
Many Hindus believe the site is the birthplace of one of their most revered deities, Lord Ram. | Many Hindus believe the site is the birthplace of one of their most revered deities, Lord Ram. |
Muslims say they have worshipped there for generations. | Muslims say they have worshipped there for generations. |
At the centre of the row is the 16th Century Babri mosque that was demolished by Hindu mobs in 1992, sparking riots that killed nearly 2,000 people. | At the centre of the row is the 16th Century Babri mosque that was demolished by Hindu mobs in 1992, sparking riots that killed nearly 2,000 people. |
What did the court say? | |
In the unanimous verdict, the court said that a report by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) provided evidence that the remains of a temple existed beneath the structure of the demolished Babri mosque. | |
It said that given all the evidence before it, the court had determined that the disputed land should be given to Hindus, while Muslims would be given land elsewhere to construct a mosque. | |
It then directed the federal government to set up a trust to manage and oversee the construction of the temple. | |
However, the court added that the demolition of the Babri mosque was against the rule of law. | |
What has the reaction to the verdict been? | |
Despite warnings by authorities not to celebrate the verdict, BBC correspondents in court say they heard chants of "Jai Shree Ram" (Hail Lord Ram) outside as the judgement was pronounced. | |
"It's a very balanced judgement and it is a victory for people of India," a lawyer for one of the Hindu parties told reporters soon after. | |
However, a representative for the Muslim litigants said that they were not satisfied and would decide whether to ask for a review after they had read the whole judgement. | |
Outside the court, the situation has been largely calm. | |
Hundreds of people were detained in Ayodhya on Friday ahead of the verdict, amid fears of violence. | Hundreds of people were detained in Ayodhya on Friday ahead of the verdict, amid fears of violence. |
Thousands of police personnel have also been deployed in the city, and shops and colleges have been shut until Monday. | Thousands of police personnel have also been deployed in the city, and shops and colleges have been shut until Monday. |
Social media platforms are being monitored for inflammatory content, with police even replying to tweets and asking users to delete them. | Social media platforms are being monitored for inflammatory content, with police even replying to tweets and asking users to delete them. |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political leaders have appealed for calm. | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political leaders have appealed for calm. |