"...the physical structure of an Islamic mosque did not shake the faith and belief of Hindus that Lord Ram was born at the disputed site," said a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi while pronouncing the judgment in the Ayodhya title suit.
The bench also comprising CJI designate S.A. Bobde, S.A. Nazeer, D.Y. Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan also said: "The evidence indicates that despite the existence of a mosque at the site, Hindu worship at the place believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram was not restricted."
"The existence of an Islamic structure at a place considered sacrosanct by the Hindus did not stop them from continuing their worship at the disputed site and within the precincts of the structure prior to the incidents of 1856-7," the bench said.
The court also noted that even after the construction of the dividing wall by the British, the Hindus continued to assert their right to pray below the central dome.
"This emerges from the evidentiary record indicating acts of individuals in trying to set up idols and perform puja both within and outside the precincts of the inner courtyard. Even after the setting up of the 'Ram Chabutra', pilgrims used to pay obeisance and make offerings to what they believed to be the 'Garbh Grih' located inside the three-domed structure while standing at the iron railing which divided the inner and outer courtyards," the bench said.
( With inputs from IANS )