Guru Nanak's role in Ram Mandir verdict: Decoding the connection of Sikhs with Ayodhya

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that it was the Sikh community that started the Ram Mandir movement in Ayodhya.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hoist the “Dhwaj” or flag atop the Ram Temple spire in Ayodhya on November 25.

"Now that the construction of the temple is complete, 'Ram Parivar' is 'virajman' on the first floor of the temple. An arti of the 'Ram Parivar' will be performed on that day when the PM will hoist the 'Dhwaj' atop the Ram temple. The Nyas is organising this programme, with Champat Rai as the incharge," Chairman of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Construction Committee, Nripendra Mishra, told ANI.

Mishra said a list of 6000-8000 invitees has been prepared for the religious event and they will represent various sections.

Ahead of the consecration of Ram Lalla on December 23, people from all faiths contributed to the funds for the Ram Mandir construction.

VHP's Pravesh Kumar gave  examples of how Buddhist monks from Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh, Christians from far-flung villages, Sikhs and Muslims from across the country contributed during the Nidhi Samarpan abhiyan for the Ram temple.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that it was the Sikh community that started the Ram Mandir movement in Ayodhya.

The Supreme Court verdict in 2019 that settled the Ayodhya dispute mentioned the Sikh connection with Ayodhya.

The apex court said Janma Sakhies, which have been brought on record, contains a description of visit of Guru Nanak Dev to Ayodhya, where he had visited birthplace of Lord Ram. The evidence that helped strengthen the Hindu side’s claim to the disputed site was the visit by Guru Nanak Dev in 1510-11 AD.

It was earlier stated in the apex court that Babri Masjid was constructed by Emperor Babur in 1528.

Nihang Sikhs

During the hearing of the Ram Janmabhoomi case in the Supreme Court, a report stated that on November 28, 1858, a hawan (a Hindu ritual) and puja were conducted inside the Babri mosque by Nihang Sikh Baba Fakir Singh Khalsa.

Nihang Sikhs are a warrior order within the Sikh community, known for their martial traditions.

According to the report, Singh barged inside the mosque, raising slogans in the glory of the 10th Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, and erected a symbol of 'Sri Bhagwan' (Lord Ram). He also reportedly wrote 'Ram Ram' on the walls of the mosque.

Singh conducted the rituals as his fellow 25 Nihang Sikhs who stood outside the mosque, preventing any outsider from entering the premises. A case was registered against the Nihangs at the Awadh police station on November 30. This was reportedly the first FIR lodged in the case.