Mathura's Shahi Idgah Mosque Case: A historical timeline of the dispute
The longstanding historical conflict linked to Mathura's Shahi Idgah mosque adjacent to the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple has sparked anew due to recent events. Here are the claims made and the history of the 13.37-acre land at the centre of this dispute.
The historical dispute surrounding Mathura's Shahi Idgah mosque adjoining the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple has reignited with recent developments.
The case involves decades-long contention between Hindu and Muslim sides, centring on the mosque's alleged construction on a Hindu temple site.
WHAT IS THE SHAHI IDGAH MOSQUE CASE?
The main suit seeks the removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque, claiming it was constructed on Krishna Janmabhoomi land. Another PIL that aimed to declare the site as Krishna Janmabhoomi was dismissed in 2022.
The petitioners or the Hindu side asserts that a temple, built in 1618 by Raja Veer Singh Bundela of Orchha, was demolished to construct the Shahi Idgah mosque in 1670 under the orders of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The official court bulletin of February 1670 supports these claims.
They also note the presence of a lotus-shaped pillar, typically seen in Hindu temples, and Hindu religious symbols and engravings within the mosque premises.
On the other hand, the defendants, the Shahi Idgah mosque committee and UP Sunni Central Waqf Board, argue that the mosque doesn't fall within the disputed land and dispute the claims related to the temple's existence.
CLAIMS MADE ABOUT SHAHI IDGAH MOSQUE
- Shahi Idgah built on Krishna Janmabhoomi land: Hindu petitioners claim the mosque stands on a part of the 13.37-acre land of the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust.
- Shahi Idgah built by Aurangzeb: Some assert the mosque's construction during Aurangzeb's reign in 1669-70 on the premises of Katra Keshav Dev temple.
- Shahi Idgah built on Lord Krishna’s birthplace: The Hindu side believes the mosque built on the orders of Emperor Aurangzeb sits atop Lord Krishna's birthplace in Mathura.
- Shahi Idgah is a temple: Claims include the presence of a lotus-shaped pillar with an image of 'Sheshnag,' and Hindu symbols within the mosque.
MODERN HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF KRISHNA JANMABHOOMI COMPLEX
1803: East India Company assumes control of Mathura.
1815: Entire land of Katra Keshav Dev, measuring 13.37 acres, auctioned off by the East India Company, purchased by Raja Patnimal, a Banaras banker.
1944: Jugal Kishore Birla purchases the 13.37-acre land from Raja Patni Mal’s heirs in the name of educationist Madan Mohan Malaviya with the aim of constructing a glorious temple at Katra Keshav Dev glorifying the birth place of Lord Shree Krishna
1951: Jugal Kishore Birla establishes Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust which becomes the custodian of this land, on the condition that it would never be sold or pledged.
1958: Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sangh is formed to manage the temple affairs adjacent to the land.
1964: The Seva Sangh files a plea in a local court to restore the land.
1968: A compromise is reached between the Shree Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sangh and the Shahi Eidgah committee. The agreement granted the temple land to the Trust and handed over the management of the Shahi Eidgah to the Eidgah committee. Additionally, it clarified that the Shree Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sangh had no legal claim on the Shahi Eidgah.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
In 2020, Ranjana Agnihotri and others filed a suit challenging the compromise between the Seva Sangh and the Shahi Eidgah committee. Despite initial rejections, subsequent pleas were deemed 'maintainable.' In May 2023, the Allahabad High Court summoned the 18 related pleas that had accumulated for adjudication and brought the case back into focus.
On December 14, the Allahabad High Court ordered a court-monitored survey of the Shahi Idgah mosque premises to assess the historical claims made by both sides.
The court issued the order in response to an application filed by a plaintiff requesting the restitution of the 13.37-acre land associated with the mosque.
Top of Form
The mosque committee contested the order, urging the dismissal of the Hindu side's plea. They argued that the lawsuit was barred by the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which prohibits altering the character of religious sites.
On Tuesday, January 16, the Supreme Court suspended the Allahabad High Court’s order appointing an advocate commissioner to conduct a survey of the Shahi Eidgah mosque, saying that it was based on a “omnibus, vague” application for inspecting the mosque premises.
The Supreme Court made it clear that the dispute proceedings would continue before the high court and that the case would be taken up on January 23.