Land Dispute Unfolds in Mathura: High Court Approves Survey of Shahi Idgah Mosque
The Hindu party submitted a plea in a Mathura court seeking exclusive rights to the disputed 13.37 acres, asserting that the mosque was constructed by demolishing the Katra Keshav Dev temple originally situated on the same site.
In a significant development, the Allahabad High Court has granted permission for a survey of the 17th-century Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. The decision mirrors the survey conducted at the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, with the process to be supervised by a court-appointed advocate commissioner. The court is set to finalize the commissioner’s identity and survey details on Monday.
Birthplace of Lord Krishna Controversy
Hindu Claim and Legal Proceedings
The controversy stems from claims made by Hindu outfits asserting that the Shahi Idgah Mosque was constructed on the birthplace of Lord Krishna. In response to demands for a survey, a local court admitted the Hindu side’s petition in December of the previous year. However, the Muslim side raised objections, prompting the matter to reach the Allahabad High Court. Now, with the High Court approving the survey, the Muslim side is expected to consider approaching the Supreme Court.
Hindu Petition for Ownership
The Hindu party, seeking full ownership of the disputed 13.37 acres of land, alleges that the centuries-old mosque replaced the Katra Keshav Dev temple, demolished on the same site. According to their claims, Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb ordered the temple’s destruction. The Hindus point to carvings of lotuses on some mosque walls and shapes resembling ‘sheshnag,’ a snake demigod in Hindu mythology, as evidence that the mosque was built over the temple.
Historical Agreement and Legal Framework
1968 Agreement and Places of Worship Act
In 1968, an agreement was reached between the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan and the Shahi Masjid Idgah Trust. Under this agreement, 10.9 acres of land were allocated for the Krishna Janmabhoomi, and the remaining 2.5 acres were designated for the mosque. The Places of Worship Act of 1991, cited by the Muslim side, maintains the religious status of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947.
Legal Landscape: Multiple Cases in High Court
A total of 18 cases related to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Masjid dispute are before the Allahabad High Court. The court centralized these cases, transferring all pending suits from the local court in Mathura. The move sets the stage for a comprehensive examination of the complex legal and historical dimensions of the dispute.
Unraveling the Historical Layers
The Allahabad High Court’s decision to permit the survey of the Shahi Idgah Mosque marks a crucial juncture in the ongoing dispute over the sacred land in Mathura. As the legal proceedings unfold, the intricacies of historical agreements, religious claims, and the interpretation of laws will play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of this longstanding and contentious issue. The echoes of the past, intertwined with the complexities of the present, continue to shape the trajectory of the Mathura land dispute.