The Allahabad High Court will continue hearings on September 30, 2024 in the ongoing dispute between the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple and the Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura. This follows an application for amendment filed by the Hindu plaintiffs in their case.
Background
The high court is currently addressing 18 consolidated suits related to this matter. On August 1, the court dismissed a plea regarding the maintainability of these cases, affirming that the “religious character” of the Shahi Idgah mosque must be determined.
The court ruled against the Muslim side’s argument, which claimed that the suits violated the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act of 1991. This Act prohibits alterations to the religious character of any shrine as it existed on August 15, 1947, with the sole exception of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute.
The Hindu plaintiffs are seeking the removal of the mosque, which they assert was constructed following the demolition of a temple at Lord Krishna’s birthplace.
The court noted that the 1991 Act does not define “religious character.” It emphasized that the disputed site cannot simultaneously hold a dual identity as both a temple and a mosque, which are inherently conflicting. Justice Jain stated, “Either the place is a temple or a mosque,” and directed that the religious character of the site as of 1947 be established through both documentary and oral evidence.
The management committee of the Shahi Idgah mosque, along with the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board, has contested the claims made by the Hindu side on various grounds.
The court will convene on September 30 to further examine the issues raised and consider the amendments proposed by the Hindu litigants.
