A petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday challenging the constitutional validity of 1993 central law on land acquisition in Ayodhya near the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi– Babri Masjid site.

The petition was filed by a group a seven persons, including two advocates from Lucknow. The petitioners claimed to be devotee of Ram Lalla and submitted that state legislature has the exclusive power to make provisions relating to the management of affairs of religious institutions inside its territory.  Therefore, the parliament does not have legislative competence to acquire land belonging to the state.

The petition said the Centre and state government shall not interfere in the Puja, Darshan and rituals performed by people at the places of worship within the land measuring 67.703 acres acquired under the Act. Petition claimed this land belongs to Ramjanambhoomi Nyas, Manas Bhavan, Sankat Mochan Mandir, Ram Janmasthan Temple, Janki Mahaland Katha Mandap.

The petitioners have moved the Supreme Court after the Centre filed an application on January 29, seeking court’s nod to return the 67-acre acquired land around the disputed site to original owners.

—India Legal Bureau