What is Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid Dispute?

Mathura Masjid Controversy: In the latest development, Mathura District Court has given its approval to the hearing of a lawsuit in the lower court over the removal of Shahi Idgah Masjid. A local court in Mathura had earlier agreed to hear a plea seeking the videography of Shahi Idgah Mosque that lies adjacent to Krishna Janmabhoomi.

The decision came amid the videography survey of Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The petitioners have sought the appointment of the advocate commissioner to conduct the video survey in the Shahi Idgah Mosque Premises in Mathura. Notably, earlier on May 12, the Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court had directed the Mathura Court that all the cases related to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Mosque dispute must be disposed of within four months.

Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid dispute | Mathura district court allows hearing of lawsuit in lower court over removal of Shahi Idgah Masjid #UttarPradesh

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2022

Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi- Shahi Idgah Masjid Dispute: History

Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi which is spread over an area of 13.39 acres has a whole set of Hindu temples and religious structures and right next to the complex stands the Shahi Idgah Masjid which was built by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1670 after demolishing the Keshavdas Temple. 

In the petitions filed in the court, it has been claimed that the Masjid stands in the place of the Temple and that the Hindu devotees must be allowed to pray. Even earlier in December 2021, the issue was raised by BJP Party in Rajya Sabha that demanded that the law that provide for the status quo must be scrapped. 

While raising the issue, the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act of 1991, was described as unconstitutional as it prohibits the conversion of any place of worship and provides for the maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1945. 

What is Mathura Masjid Controversy? Key Points

1. As per the petition, the petitioners have claimed that the Shahi Idgah Mosque was built after demolishing the part of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple which was spread over 13.37 acres of land.

2. The petitioners have been demanding the removal of the mosque and the return of the land for the temple.

3. So far, nine cases have been filed in the Mathura Court in the case of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shahi Idgah Dispute.

4. Just like Gyanvapi Masjid Survey, the videography survey of Shahi Idgah Masjid in Mathura will determine the existence of Hindu artifacts and the ancient religious inscriptions on the mosque premises.

5. One of the petitioners claimed that the mosque was built on the orders of Aurangzeb back in 1669-70 on the 13.37 acre of Krishna Janmabhoomi Land.

High Court’s order to dispose Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Mosque dispute cases

The Lucknow Bench of Allahabad High Court on May 12 had directed the Mathura Court to dispose of all the cases that are related to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Mosque dispute.

The High Court was hearing the petitions for the early disposal of the cases of Mathura’s Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shahi Idgah Dispute. The court also stated that if the Sunni Waqf Board and other parties are not involved in the hearing, then the court can issue ex-parte order.

The court order had come on the plea of the petitioner who had appealed for early disposal of the case.

Gyanvapi Masjid Case: Supreme Court to hear crucial plea today on Gyanvapi Mosque case