The Allahabad High Court on Friday scheduled October 9 as the next date of hearing in the long-running dispute over the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple and the Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura.
Justice Ram Manohar Narain Mishra fixed the date after hearing arguments from counsels representing both sides. The court also dealt with several pending applications and objections during the proceedings.
Background
At the heart of the controversy is the Shahi Idgah mosque, built during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, which some Hindu groups allege was constructed after demolishing a temple at the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
The Hindu petitioners have filed 18 suits, seeking possession of the land, removal of the mosque structure, restoration of the temple, and a permanent injunction to prevent any further alterations.
Earlier Rulings
In a significant development on August 1, 2024, the High Court dismissed multiple applications filed by the Muslim side, which had challenged the maintainability of suits filed by Hindu worshippers.
The Court ruled that these suits are legally maintainable and not barred by existing laws. It clarified that the claims do not fall under restrictions imposed by the:
Limitation Act,
Waqf Act, or
Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits the conversion of religious places as they existed on August 15, 1947.
This order was widely seen as a boost to the Hindu side, as it cleared the path for their petitions to be heard on the merits.
With the next hearing now set for October 9, the High Court is expected to continue examining objections and applications linked to the pending suits. The outcome will be crucial in shaping the trajectory of one of the most contentious religious disputes in Mathura, a site considered sacred by millions of Hindu devotees.
The case continues to attract significant public attention, given its historical and religious sensitivities, and remains one of the key legal battles over temple–mosque disputes in India.
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