Dhannipur

Dhannipur is a village in the Ayodhya district of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located near the city of Ayodhya and forms part of the rural area administered within the district.

The village gained national attention in connection with the Ram Janmabhoomi–Babri Masjid dispute. In 2020, a five-acre plot in Dhannipur was allotted by the Government of Uttar Pradesh to a trust associated with the All India Sunni Waqf Board to construct a mosque that would serve as an alternative site related to the Babri Masjid case. The project is commonly referred to as the Dhannipur Mosque project.

Plans for the site envisage building a mosque along with an Islamic-cultural complex on the land. The complex is described as including facilities to support community activities, education and cultural engagement, in addition to the religious structure.

The Dhannipur project has been the subject of national debate, attracting both support and criticism. Proponents frame it as a peaceful, pluralistic resolution within India’s diverse religious landscape, while opponents have raised concerns about symbolism and heritage sensitivities. The project has progressed within the framework of local governance and legal considerations and remains part of broader discussions surrounding the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute.

See also: Ayodhya dispute, Ram Janmabhoomi movement, Babri Masjid demolition.