The Allahabad High Court has given the green light for an advocate commissioner to survey the Shahi Mosque Eidgah in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
This court-monitored survey will explore the area next to the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in the city.
Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Mosque Eidgah Dispute
shahi mosque Eidgah: On May 26, the Allahabad High Court took charge of all ongoing suits in the Mathura Court related to the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Mosque Eidgah dispute.
The Hindu party sought a scientific survey of the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah premises from the Supreme Court on August 14, 2023.
On November 10, the Supreme Court scheduled the next hearing for January 9, 2024, expressing the need for a thorough examination and asked both parties to submit brief summaries.
In response, the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah appealed to the Supreme Court, challenging the Allahabad High Court’s decision to centralize all petitions on the Mathura Krishna Janmabhoomi land dispute.
The petition argues that the transfer was granted despite a prior stay order on proceedings from a Coordinate Bench of the High Court on August 3, 2022.
The contested judgment not only skips two appellate stages but also transfers other suits to the High
Petitioners claim shahi mosque Eidgah is a temple
Jain argued that the Shahi Eidgah Masjid contains numerous Hindu temple symbols, emphasizing the need for an advocate commissioner to uncover the truth.
On November 16, the Allahabad High Court kept its decision pending regarding the Hindu side’s request for a court-appointed advocate commissioner.
The petitioners sought a survey of the mosque, asserting that the land is part of Shri Krishnajanmabhoomi, a Hindu place of worship.
There are claims that the Shahi Eidgah Mosque was constructed on temple grounds during Aurangzeb’s rule.
A legal case filed in the Mathura court aims to remove a mosque allegedly built in 1669-70 under Aurangzeb’s orders on the 13.37-acre premises of Katra Keshav Dev temple, near Lord Krishna’s birthplace.
Shahi mosque Eidgah Controversy
The origins of this issue stretch far beyond 2020; they trace back several years. The core of the dispute lies in a 1968 agreement between Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sangh and Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah.
This agreement aimed to resolve a land dispute by designating specific areas for the construction of a temple and a mosque.
However, the ownership of the entire land and the chronology of the temple and mosque construction are still contentious.
The Hindu side asserts that the matter dates back to 1618, citing various historical cases as evidence. The question of who was built first, the temple or the mosque.
Petitioner demand on shahi Mosque Eidgah?
The petitioner, representing the Hindu side, demands a court-monitored survey of the Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
The objective is to ascertain the actual situation on the ground, particularly about the Shahi Idgah premises adjoining the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in the city.
The petitioner argues that signs and symbols of a Hindu temple are present in the mosque, and they seek clarity on the ownership and historical aspects of the land.
The disagreement over the mosque’s construction is a point of contention between the two sides. According to the Hindu perspective, the petition states, “During the 1815 land auction, there was no mosque; only a rundown structure existed near Katra Keshav Dev.
The so-called Shahi Idgah mosque was constructed later through an illicit agreement.”
On the other hand, Secretary Tanveer Ahmed contends that a mosque has stood on that land since 1658.
Advocate Ranjana Agnihotri emphasizes, “This isn’t merely about reviving old disputes.
The controversy persists. Even today, Hindu idols are present in mosques or monuments at such locations that are considered sacred.
Civil Court Petition on Shahi mosque Eidgah
In Hindu belief, it’s held that Lord Shri Krishna was born in the prison of Kansa, marking the site as his birthplace in ‘Katra Keshav Dev’ in Mathura Bazar City.
The contention is that a mosque has been unlawfully constructed on a portion of the 13.37 acres of land, which is the actual birthplace of Krishna.
The petitioner asserts that the 1968 agreement between Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sangh and Trust Shahi Idgah Mosque was illegal and should be dismissed.
The plea is for the return of the Katra Keshav Dev land to Shri Krishna and a halt to Muslim access to the area. Additionally, there’s a demand for the removal of the mosque structure from that land.
Conclusion
the Shahi Idgah mosque in Mathura involves complex legal and historical dimensions. The Allahabad High Court’s decision to allow a survey and the subsequent transfer of cases from the Mathura Court to itself has intensified the legal battle.
The Hindu petitioners, rooted in historical claims dating back to 1618, assert that the mosque was built on land designated for a temple.
The petitioner demands a court-monitored survey to establish the truth, challenging the 1968 agreement and seeking the return of the land to Shri Krishna. The controversy reflects broader tensions around the historical and religious significance of the site.
