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Supreme Court reserves order on going for court-monitored mediation in Ayodhya dispute

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7 years ago

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Ayodhya dispute

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Justices SA Bobde and DY Chandrachud differ in open court on whether mediation outcome will be binding on the community at large

The Supreme Court tiday (Wednesday, March 6) reserved its order on whether the politically-sensitive Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title dispute land dispute can be settled through  court-monitored mediation.

A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and also comprising Justices SA Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer heard submissions from various Hindu and Muslim bodies involved in the matter.

The Bench had, on February 26, indicated its desire for sending the dispute for court-monitored mediation.

The Bench said the case was not only about property but also about sentiment and faith. “It is not only about property. It is about mind, heart and healing, if possible,” it added.  “We are not concerned about what Mughal ruler Babar had done and what happened after. We can go into what exists in the present moment,” the Bench said.

The top court had asked the contesting parties to explore the possibility of amicably settling the decades-old dispute through mediation, saying it may help in “healing relations.”

As many as 14 appeals have been filed in the top court against the 2010 Allahabad High Court judgment, delivered in four civil suits, that the 2.77-acre land in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among the three parties — the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara, and Ram Lalla.

The highlight of today’s proceedings, however, was the gentle sparring between Justices Bobde and Chandrachud who clearly appeared divided on whether an outcome achieved through mediation will be binding on the communities (Hindu and Muslim) at large or just to the petitioners in the case.

As the proceedings commenced, counsel for some of the Hindu parties in the case submitted before the Bench that there was “no question of a compromise” through a mediation process and any outcome of such an effort will not be agreeable to the public at large. They added that even if the court was desirous of sending the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi title suit into mediation once again, a public notice to the effect will first need to be issued inviting views.

Justice Bobde, who during the last hearing in the case had surprised all parties in the suit by suggesting a renewed effort for arbitration, stood his ground and said “it is not fair to pre-judge the issue and say mediation will be a failure even before it begins… This is a dispute about sentiments, about faith.”

Reiterating his earlier stance that the court views the suit as a way of “healing relationships” and “not just a property dispute”, Justice Bobde said: “It is about mind, heart and healing relationships. We are also conscious of gravity of the issue and its impact on the body politic. Don’t think you (counsels objecting to the mediation process) have more faith than us.”

Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for one of the key Muslim petitioners in the case, informed the court that he was open to a court-monitored mediation and added that “consent of all parties isn’t a requirement to order mediation.” Dhavan added that “only arbitration and not any other alternate dispute resolution needs consent”.

Justice Bobde reiterated that if the court does indeed invoke Section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure to order mediation, “maintaining confidentiality of the process would be very important.” He then wondered what the court would be bound to do “if someone who the parties have spoken to leaks it (details of the mediation) out.”

Indicating that the media will be barred from reporting on the mediation process if the court orders such an effort, Justice Bobde asked: “How can we stop the media from reporting about it”, to which Dhavan replied: “there can be a specific order to this effect.”

Justice Bobde reiterated that “confidentiality is essential” and “it is necessary that it is not written about in the media while it is in process.”

As remarks by Justice Bobde and submissions of senior advocate Dhavan gave an impression that the court was inclined towards sending the suit for mediation, Justice Chandrachud pointed out that the case is not just a dispute between parties but a dispute involving two communities. “How do we bind millions of people by way of mediation? It won’t be that simple… Desirability of resolution through peaceful talks is an ideal situation. But, how do we go about it is the real question,” Justice Chandrachud remarked.

The clear dissent from Justice Chandrachud triggered Justice Bobde into offering a long rebuttal. “If a counsel represents a community or a group and accepts for mediation, there cannot be an argument that it (the outcome) will not bind everyone. If it is good for one, it has to be good for another,” Justice Bobde said.

Asserting that if mediation results in a decree then such an order will be legally binding, Justice Bobde added: “Decree passed subsequent to a compromise (mediation) and decree passed subsequent to court proceedings is not different and it has the same effect in law.”

Senior counsel Dhavan then interjected to submit that “there will always be some amount of angst in the people whenever a case like this is decided”, while asking Justice Chandrachud, “why is the court worried about the angst?”

Dhavan then cited the top court’s landmark verdict that quashed the centuries-old ban on entry of women aged between 10 and 50 years into Kerala’s Sabarimala temple – a verdict that was delivered by a bench of which Justice Chandrachud was a part. “Religious sentiments were involved in that case too but the Supreme Court still passed an order,” Dhavan pointed out.

Senior advocate CS Vaidyanathan, appearing for the infant Lord Ram (Ram Lalla Virajman), a petitioner in the case, told the court that while it was accepted that Ayodhya is the Ram Janmabhoomi, “which is the exact Ram Janmasthan (birthplace) is up to belief and faith and there cannot be any negotiation on that.”

Vaidyanathan reiterated his opposition to mediation while senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for another Hindu party, joined in and added that the definition of a decree (arrived after mediation) suggests that “it will be binding only on the parties.” Vaidyanathan also told the court that the issue of construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site is non-negotiable since “it is an issue of faith for the Hindus and we are even willing to crowd fund for construction of a mosque somewhere else.”

Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi then responded to the submission saying: “you are suggesting that the result of mediation might be stillborn.”

The proceedings also saw a minor verbal duel between Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Dhavan. As Mehta began his submissions, opposing an order favouring mediation, the Chief Justice asked him who he was appearing for.

When Mehta responded that he was appearing for the State of Uttar Pradesh, Dhavan said he is opposed to the Solicitor General’s submissions on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government since the counsel for the State of UP had earlier told the Allahabad High Court that they are not an interested party in the case.

The court later reserved its verdict on whether to send the suit for court-ordered mediation on not.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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CBSE denies OSM portal data breach, terms online allegations misleading

CBSE has strongly dismissed social media allegations of a security breach in its On-Screen Marking (OSM) portal, clarifying that the exposed URL is a mere testing site containing no actual student data or exam marks.

Published

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CBSE

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has refuted viral claims circulating on social media regarding a security breach in its On-Screen Marking (OSM) portal. In an official statement, the national education board dismissed the allegations, labeling them completely false and highly misleading.

The clarification comes after social media posts suggested that sensitive student records and internal assessment systems had been compromised by unauthorised actors. Media reports indicate that the board has categorically denied any leak of actual student marks or examination-related details.

Testing site hosted no real student details

According to the statement released by the board, the web address highlighted in the viral allegations belongs strictly to a testing environment. The board clarified that this URL is utilized purely for internal evaluations, data sampling, and platform reviews during development phases.

The board firmly reiterated that no live student details, official scoreboards, or active examination data are stored on this testing site. Authorities have advised stakeholders and students to refrain from panic and avoid circulating unverified rumors that challenge the integrity of the examination system.

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India News

Congress Dismisses Karnataka Leadership Transition Rumors After Six-Hour Delhi Meet

The Congress party has rejected ongoing rumors regarding a leadership change or a rotating Chief Minister formula in Karnataka, stating that a recent six-hour meeting in Delhi focused strictly on the upcoming Rajya Sabha and MLC elections.

Published

14 hours ago

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May 26, 2026

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The Congress party has strongly downplayed the intense political buzz surrounding a potential leadership transition or a change in the Chief Minister’s post in Karnataka. Following a marathon six-hour meeting with the state’s top leadership in New Delhi, the party explicitly rejected the ongoing speculation, labeling it as having “no reality.”

A brief statement issued to the media after the high-level meeting advised against spreading rumors, clarifying that the discussions were entirely centered on upcoming electoral strategies rather than structural changes within the state government. The party stated that the deliberations solely revolved around the state’s three vacant Rajya Sabha seats and the upcoming Member of Legislative Council (MLC) elections.

Rajya Sabha and MLC Polls Take Center Stage

The high-stakes meeting was attended by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, and party General Secretary KC Venugopal, alongside Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Briefing the media post-meeting, KC Venugopal stated that conversations were strictly confined to the Rajya Sabha and MLC elections, emphasizing that there is no truth to any other political speculation. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also confirmed that the agenda of a potential cabinet expansion or a leadership shift did not come up during the six-hour-long discussion.

Background of the Power Struggle

The question of leadership in Karnataka has remained a recurring theme for over a year. Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar have consistently maintained that the central leadership promised a rotating Chief Ministership arrangement when the government was formed after the 2023 assembly elections.

Speculation had intensified recently as the ruling government faced local anti-incumbency pressures alongside renewed political activity from the opposition bench. Some internal reports had even indicated a push from within certain sections of the high command, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, for a leadership revamp.

Balancing Caste Equations and Party Structure

The central leadership has navigated the situation cautiously to maintain political stability. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, 80, commands a powerful “Ahinda” support base—a coalition comprising minority communities, backward classes, and Dalits. This social alliance was crucial in helping the party navigate the traditional Vokkaliga and Lingayat caste dynamics during the 2023 elections.

Although the rotation issue had previously gained significant momentum when the government completed two years in office, the party high command had chosen to maintain the status quo to avoid any adverse electoral impact in neighboring assembly elections, such as in Tamil Nadu. With those elections concluded, supporters of the 64-year-old Deputy Chief Minister had expressed optimism for a transition. Shivakumar currently holds the dual responsibility of being the Deputy Chief Minister as well as the state Congress chief, signaling his critical organizational value to the party. However, for the time being, the party high command has firmly signaled that the current leadership structure will remain unchanged.

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Cricket news

Bowlers may hold the key in high-stakes IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala

Although the media build-up centers on the batting heavyweight clash between Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 in Dharamsala is set to be decided by the bowling consistency of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Siraj.

Published

22 hours ago

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May 26, 2026

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Flat pitches, towering sixes, and relentless run-scoring have defined the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 so far. However, when Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lock horns in Qualifier 1 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala, the contest could ultimately hinge on the bowlers.

The HPCA Stadium has proved to be unforgiving for bowlers due to its short boundaries. A teaser of what could unfold was evident during recent net sessions, where Gujarat Titans’ Jos Buttler and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Tim David regularly launched monstrous hits out of the stadium. In the three matches played at this venue this season, teams crossed the 200-run mark five times, with the lowest score being 199/8. An average of nearly 25 maximums per match has been hit here, promising another potential run-fest.

Moving past the Kohli vs Gill narrative

While media attention focuses on the iconic battle between the ‘King’ Virat Kohli and the ‘Prince’ Shubman Gill—hailed as the heir to Indian cricket’s batting legacy—the true deciding factor might lie elsewhere. Both batters look in pristine touch. Gill occupies the second spot in the Orange Cap race with 616 runs from 13 matches, trailing behind his opening partner Sai Sudharsan. Meanwhile, Kohli has bounced back from a brief mid-tournament slump by smashing a sparkling century, taking his tally to 557 runs this season.

Despite the incredible batting firepower on display, the bowling units are expected to dictate which team blinks last. Media interactions with team managements highlighted that consistency and self-belief within the respective bowling departments have been the defining traits of both squads this season.

Powerplay battles to decide the finalist

For RCB, veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads the charge alongside Kagiso Rabada for GT, with both spearheads locked as the joint-highest wicket-takers across the two sides at 24 wickets each. Bhuvneshwar holds a slight edge due to a superior economy rate. Close behind them is GT’s Mohammed Siraj, who has taken 17 wickets so far. With supporting acts like Josh Hazlewood, Jason Holder, Prasidh Krishna, Rasikh Salam Dar, and spinners Rashid Khan and Krunal Pandya in the mix, the match promises an intriguing tactical battle.

Gujarat Titans’ assistant coach Vijay Dahiya acknowledged that negotiating Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the powerplay will be a massive task, but reminded that GT possesses equal firepower in Siraj and Rabada. “If you talk about the powerplay, our numbers are among the best in this tournament,” Dahiya stated.

RCB captain Rajat Patidar echoed similar views, placing immense faith in his bowling attack to stop GT’s prolific opening duo of Gill and Sudharsan. “Our strength is bowling. The way we bowl in the powerplay will be very crucial. We’ll look for early wickets and that is what we have done throughout the tournament,” Patidar remarked.

In a tournament dominated by towering batting displays, the team whose bowling unit holds its nerve under the Dharamsala lights will seal a direct spot in the IPL final.

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