What Will Be The Verdict On The Ayodhya Case

Indian Law News: Whether the religious tolerance in India has improved in about 2 decades will be tested today, with the verdict on the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute scheduled to be delivered by the Allahabad High Court at 3:30pm.

Whichever way the verdict goes, a Supreme Court appeal is likely to be launched by the religious group that the HC rules against today. Whether the verdict goes in favour of the Hindus or the Muslims, the main opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), would be in the spotlight and may benefit from this.

The BJP had risen to power on the back of the demolition of the Babri Masjid in the 1990s, which was followed by widespread riots in 1992. Fearing similar consequences, tens of thousands of security personnel have been deployed across the country. Forces have been posted in Ayodhya (the location in question), in Lucknow (where the verdict will be delivered) and in New Delhi (where the Commonwealth Games are scheduled to begin on Sunday).

However, many people believe that the SC will not be able to reach a conclusive decision today. Home Minister P. Chidambaram said on Wednesday that “it would be very difficult for a trained lawyer to come to the conclusion that one side has won and one side has lost”. In fact, the Ayodhya case could be argued in courtrooms for years, as the issues surrounding the matter are many and diverse.