SC suspends ruling on Babri Masjid dispute

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday suspended the ruling that divided the holy site between Hindus and Muslims in northern India that was once the cause of huge riots.

Lawyers representing Hindu and Muslim groups say the Supreme Court on Monday suspended the ruling from last September over the site of the Babri Masjid. The earlier ruling gave the Muslim community control of one-third and two Hindu groups split the remainder.

In the city of Ayodhya Muslims revere the compound as the former site of the 16th century Babri Masjid, while Hindus say it is the birthplace of their god Rama and contend a temple to him stood on the site before the mosque.

It has been one of the most delicate issues in the country since a long time.