SC Defers Hearing on Mosque Committee’s Plea in Mathura Shahi Idgah Case to March 2025
The Supreme Court of India has postponed the hearing of a critical petition filed by the mosque management committee concerning the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. The plea, which challenges an Allahabad High Court order, will now be heard in March 2025.
The case, which has garnered national attention, revolves around the ongoing dispute over the Shahi Idgah mosque located next to the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, a site that holds immense religious significance for Hindus. The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, announced the deferral after it became clear that the bench needed to address a separate case earlier in the day. The bench is also handling a hundred petitions related to the Calcutta High Court’s verdict on teacher appointments in West Bengal.
Background of the Mathura Shahi Idgah Dispute
The Mathura Shahi Idgah dispute has its roots in a contentious claim by Hindu litigants, who argue that the mosque was built over a temple that was demolished during the Mughal era under Emperor Aurangzeb’s rule. They seek the removal of the mosque and the restoration of the land for the construction of a Hindu temple.
In 2022, the dispute gained fresh momentum when a single judge of the Allahabad High Court dismissed the petition of the Committee of Management, Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah, which challenged the maintainability of multiple lawsuits filed by Hindu petitioners. The High Court further ruled that the “religious character” of the Shahi Idgah mosque should be determined through evidence.
This ruling has now reached the Supreme Court, which has yet to make a decision on whether to admit the mosque committee’s appeal.
Key Legal Arguments
The legal arguments around the case are multi-faceted. One of the central contentions from the Hindu petitioners is that the Shahi Idgah mosque was constructed on the site of a demolished temple. They argue that the mosque’s existence violates the 1991 Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, which prohibits any changes to the religious character of a place of worship as it stood on August 15, 1947. However, the Act notably exempts the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute from its purview.
On the other hand, the mosque management committee and the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board maintain that the suits filed by the Hindu side are barred under the Places of Worship Act and other relevant laws, including the Wakf Act and the Specific Relief Act. They argue that the mosque is a historical structure and its religious character cannot be altered.
Allahabad High Court’s Ruling
The Allahabad High Court’s decision to reject the mosque management committee’s plea has only intensified the dispute. The High Court opined that the term “religious character” as defined by the Places of Worship Act remains ambiguous and requires a comprehensive examination. It noted that a site cannot simultaneously hold dual religious significance – as both a mosque and a temple. The court emphasized that the determination of the site’s religious character would need to be based on both documentary and oral evidence presented by both parties.
In addition, the High Court ruled that the cases brought forward by the Hindu parties were not in violation of existing laws, including the Wakf Act and the Places of Worship Act. The ruling allowed the cases to proceed, further fueling the legal and political tensions surrounding the matter.
The Broader Context of Temple-Mosque Disputes
The Mathura dispute is part of a broader wave of temple-mosque disputes in India, notably including the ongoing Gyanvapi mosque case in Varanasi. Both cases involve similar themes, including the intersection of religious identity, historical claims, and the legal principles surrounding places of worship. In both instances, the Places of Worship Act is central to the arguments, with opposing sides vying for recognition of their religious and historical narratives.
The Supreme Court’s Next Steps
As the Supreme Court defers its hearing to March 2025, the delay prolongs the uncertainty surrounding the Mathura Shahi Idgah dispute. Legal experts suggest that the Supreme Court’s final decision could have significant implications for the future of temple-mosque cases across India. With the temple-mosque question continuing to dominate the legal landscape, the upcoming hearing could further shape public discourse on the complex intersection of religion, law, and historical legacy.
The Court’s delay, however, gives both parties more time to prepare for what could be a landmark ruling. The case remains one of the most high-profile and contentious in contemporary Indian legal history, with widespread political, religious, and social ramifications.
Conclusion
As the Supreme Court prepares for the next hearing in March, 2025, all eyes will remain on the outcome of the Mathura Shahi Idgah case. The delay is a critical moment in the prolonged legal struggle between the Hindu and Muslim communities over the Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shahi Idgah mosque complex. It is expected that this case will continue to serve as a focal point for debates surrounding India’s legal handling of religious disputes and the interpretation of laws like the Places of Worship Act.