Ayodhya verdict: No place for fear, negativity in 'New India', says PM

Ayodhya case verdict LIVE updates: SC has ordered that a temple must be constructed at the disputed site and the Muslims must be compensated with five acres of land at a prominent place in Ayodhya

Ayodhya verdict LIVE updates: The Supreme Court has delivered its verdict on the Ram Janmabhoomi–Babri Masjid land dispute in Ayodhya, marking another chapter in a centuries-old religious dispute that is the country’s most politically divisive row.

The case, which has spanned centuries of religious history and languished in the legal system for almost seven decades, has finally seen a closure, as a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi pronounced its verdict. In a unanimous judgment, the Bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi has ordered that a temple must be constructed at the disputed site and the Muslims must be compensated with five acres of land at a prominent place in Ayodhya. The court also ordered the Central government to formulate a scheme within three months to implement this order.

Thousands of paramilitary force members and police have been deployed in Ayodhya, where the Babri Masjid mosque was razed in 1992 by hardline Hindus who believe the site is the birthplace of Lord Ram.

The government has stepped up security not just in Ayodhya but across the country and security forces have been put on a high alert. A verdict in favour of building a Ram Temple at Ayodhya would be seen as a political victory for Modi, who won a second term in a landslide general election win this year. Section 144 has also been imposed in the state in Uttar Pradesh.

Read our full coverage on Ayodhya case

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9:42 PM

PM Modi invokes fall of Berlin Wall, says shun fear and unite for new India

The Supreme Court judgment on the Ayodhya issue has heralded a “new dawn” and should not be seen as win or loss for anybody, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, stressing that India’s credo of unity in diversity was visible in its totality as all sections of society accepted the verdict with an open heart. Addressing the nation after the verdict in the politically and communally sensitive case was pronounced, Modi invoked the fall of the Berlin wall on November 9, 1989, as he urged people to shun any fear, bitterness and negativity and come together to build a new India.

 

9:30 PM

Ayodhya verdict involved adjudicatory task of 'unique dimension', says SC

The Supreme Court on Saturday said it was tasked with an "adjudicatory task of unique dimension" in the Ayodhya land dispute case and its facts, evidence and oral arguments have traversed the "realms of history, archaeology, religion and the law". The apex court, which delivered a historic unanimous judgment putting the curtains down on the vexatious legal battle that has torn the social fabric of the nation, said citizens of all faiths, beliefs and creeds "seeking divine provenance" are both subject to law and equal before law under the Indian Constitution.

 

9:07 PM

Placing of idols in mosque led to litigations over disputed site: SC

The incident of placing of idols inside the Babri Mosque in 1949, which was followed by attachment of the disputed land by a magisterial court, led to the filing of the first of five suits in connection with the controversial site, the Supreme Court noted on Saturday.

 

8:59 PM

SC verdict not a win or loss for anybody, no place for bitterness, fear in new India: PM after Ayodhya verdict

8:57 PM

Ayodhya verdict: Police keep vigil online to check inflammatory comments

Since late Friday night, when news broke that the Supreme Court (SC) would deliver its verdict on the Ayodhya case on Saturday, social media users were occupied with the historic dispute. Various platforms were abuzz with speculation till the verdict was pronounced on Saturday, and then comments and opinions on the SC judgment were in wide currency. The authorities also did their best to check any posts that might stir communal strife.

 

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Ayodhya verdict: India Inc hails Supreme Court over unanimous decision

India Inc on Saturday hailed the Supreme Court for deciding on a centuries-old dispute over ownership of a plot of land in Ayodhya, paving the way for construction of a temple at a site which Hindu groups believe is the revered birthplace of Lord Ram.

 

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7:57 PM

India Inc admires SC for unanimous verdict on Ayodhya dispute

India Inc on Saturday hailed the Supreme Court for deciding on a centuries-old dispute over ownership of a plot of land in Ayodhya, paving the way for construction of a temple at a site which Hindu groups believe is the revered birthplace of Lord Ram. Anand Mahinda, Chairman of Mahindra Group, tweeted that he salutes the five judges of the Supreme Court for showing "extraordinary courage".

 

7:47 PM

Ayodhya case: SC terms 2010 Allahabad HC verdict 'legally unsustainable'

The Supreme Court on Saturday termed "legally unsustainable" the 2010 judgment of the Allahabad High Court, which had partitioned the 2.77-acre disputed land in Ayodhya equally among Sunni Waqf Board, Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla. The apex court, which delivered a historic verdict and put the curtains down on the vexatious legal battle that had torn the social fabric of the nation, said that dividing the land would not subserve the interest of either of the parties or secure a lasting sense of peace and tranquillity.

7:42 PM

SC verdict on Ayodhya a 'red letter day' in India's history, says Uddhav Thackeray

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday hailed the Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya dispute paving way for the construction of a Ram temple in the holy town as a "red letter day" in the history of India. Thackeray, whose party is locked in a bitter dispute with ally BJP over formation of government in Maharashtra on the issue of sharing the post of chief minister, also announced that he might visit Ayodhya on November 24.

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Ayodhya verdict: People urged not to post provocative messages

The Odisha police on Saturday said anyone found posting provocative messages on social media following the Supreme Court verdict on the Ram Janmbhoomi- Babri Masjid land dispute case would face the consequences. Director General of Police BK Sharma said security personnel have been deployed at sensitive places in all the districts and SPs are monitoring the situation.

7:13 PM

Ayodhya verdict won't cause tension in Bangladesh; says foreign minister

Bangladesh will study the Indian Supreme Court's historic verdict in the Ayodhya case, Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen said on Saturday and expressed confidence that it won't cause any tension in his country.