In Ayodhya case, SC spoke in one voice keeping long history of conflict in mind: CJI Chandrachud

CJI DY Chandrachud was part of the 5-judge bench that delivered the verdict in 2019

While delivering its final verdict in the decades-old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, the Supreme Court had kept the "long history of conflict" in mind and decided to "speak in one voice", Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said on January 1.

"Judges in the Ayodhya case unanimously decided there will be no authorship ascribed to judgement," the country's topmost judge said while speaking to PTI.

The judgment in the Ayodhya case was issued in November 2019, by a five-judge bench headed by the then CJI Ranjan Gogoi. Justice Chandrachud, the current Chief Justice, was part of the bench that ruled in favour of allotting the disputed land to the Hindu side.

"Keeping the long history of conflict and diverse viewpoints in mind, SC decided to speak in one voice in the Ayodhya case," CJI Chandrachud said.

The verdict, which ended a 134-year-old legal battle, paved the way for the construction of a Ram temple at the once-disputed site in Ayodhya.

The bench had, however, ruled that the demolition of the Babri Masjid, which stood on the site till 1992, was "illegal". It ordered the government to allot a five-acre land to the Muslim side at another site in Ayodhya to build a mosque.

More than three years after the SC verdict, the Ram temple is set to be opened up for devotees in Ayodhya. The temple's foundation stone-laying ceremony was held in August 2020, and its consecration ceremony is scheduled on January 22.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent visit to Ayodhya, said the temple's inauguration will be a "historic" moment. "We are very fortunate that this moment will come into our lives. We have to make a new resolve for the country and fill ourselves with new energy. For this, I urge all the 140 crore countrymen to light Shri Ram Jyoti in their homes on January 22 and celebrate Deepavali," he said.