GUWAHATI: On November 9th 2019, the entire nation saw and accepted the Supreme Court of India's verdict in the infamous Ayodhya land dispute suit which was dragged and politicized in numerous agendas for years.
This came to an end by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi after a 40-day hearing which also records 2nd longest in Supreme Court's history which unanimously cleared the way for the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site, and directed the Centre to allot a 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque.
With the Gopal Singh Visharad filing a title suit with the Allahabad High Court seeking an injunction to offer 'puja' (worship) at the disputed site in 1950, India waited for around 69 years for the verdict which finally was delivered by an Assam born now Chief Justice Of India, Ranjan Gogoi.
It is to be mentioned that Ranjan Gogoi's name henceforth will be engraved in the history books which people of different age groups will remember and also as a case studies for the upcoming law students.
On 16 October 2019, the final hearing in the Supreme Court ended and the bench reserved the final judgment and granted three days to contesting parties to file written notes on 'moulding of relief' or narrowing down the issues on which the court is required to adjudicate.
With Ranjan Gogoi's dexterity the judgement was pronounced and said, "This court must accept faith and accept the belief of worshippers. The court should preserve balance."
The bench also added that Hindus have faith and belief that Lord Ram was born under the dome. Faith is a matter of individual belief. Titles can’t be decided on faith and belief but on the claims. Historical accounts indicate the belief of Hindus that Ayodhya was the birthplace of Lord Ram.
Speaking about Ranjan Gogoi's background, Gogoi studied at St. Stephen's College, Delhi, graduating with honours in history, before attending Delhi University, where he received a law degree.
Gogoi enrolled at the bar in 1978 and practised at the Gauhati High Court, where he was made a Permanent Judge on 28 February 2001. He was then transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on 9 September 2010, becoming its Chief Justice on 12 February 2011. On 23 April 2012, he was elevated as the first person from Northeast India to be the CJI.