More than six years after the Supreme Court’s landmark 2019 verdict resolving the Ram Janmabhoomi–Babri Masjid title dispute, the mosque proposed at Dhannipur—allocated in lieu of the demolished Babri Masjid—has yet to see its foundation stone laid. Despite the government providing 5 acres of land, administrative hurdles, design delays, and severe funding shortages have stalled the project.
Political Heat Rekindled Nationally
The issue resurfaced nationwide after TMC MLA Humayun Kabir laid the foundation stone of a Babri Masjid replica in Murshidabad, West Bengal, on the anniversary of the Babri demolition on December 6. The move sparked fresh political and communal debates across the country.
Meanwhile, in Ayodhya—at the very site tied to the historic dispute—the Dhannipur mosque project remains at a standstill.
Background: Supreme Court’s 2019 Verdict
On November 9, 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that the disputed 2.77 acres at the Ram Janmabhoomi site be handed over entirely for the construction of a temple dedicated to Shri Ram. The court instructed the Uttar Pradesh government to provide an alternative plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for a new mosque.
Following this, 5 acres in Dhannipur village of Sohawal tehsil were allotted.
However, the project has not progressed beyond planning.
Design Approved After Years of Delay
For years, disagreement over the mosque’s architectural design stalled the proposal. The trust now claims that the final design is ready and will be submitted to the Ayodhya Development Authority for approval by December 31.
An earlier application was rejected, and procedural issues within the trust further contributed to delays.
If approvals come through, construction is expected to begin after March 2026.
Major Funding Gap: Only ₹3 Crore Raised
Beyond design approvals, a much bigger challenge is funding. According to project coordinator Athar Farooqui, the total cost for the mosque, ablution facilities, and associated structures will be around ₹65 crore.
However, even after six years of collecting donations, the trust has managed to raise only ₹3 crore.
Trust officials say this steep shortfall is the key reason the project has not moved forward.
Project Layout: Mosque, Hospital, Museum, and More
The mosque itself will cover 1,400 square metres within a sprawling 5-acre complex.
Key proposed features include:
- Five minarets and one central dome
- Capacity for 5,000 worshippers (men and women)
- A cancer hospital within the premises
- A museum, community kitchen, and research centre
- Additional educational and social facilities
The trust envisions the complex as a modern Islamic cultural and humanitarian centre.
Ram Temple Completed; Ayodhya Transformed
While the Dhannipur mosque waits for its first brick, the Ram Temple has been completed. On November 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the dharma dhwaja at the temple, marking the formal completion of the historic project.
The new temple complex includes the sanctum of Ram Lalla, the Ram Darbar, and shrines dedicated to the Saptarishis.
Ayodhya now witnesses an influx of 1–2 lakh pilgrims daily, transforming the city’s religious and economic landscape.
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