Key Points:
- Allahabad High Court has dismissed a Hindu petitioner’s plea to label the Shahi Eidgah mosque in Mathura as a “disputed structure” in all future proceedings.
- Court ruled that such a declaration would prejudge the ongoing case, which involves multiple consolidated suits over the Krishna Janmabhoomi–Shahi Eidgah site.
- The plea, filed by advocate Mahendra Pratap Singh, sought to direct court officials to use “disputed structure” instead of “Shahi Eidgah mosque” in records and hearings.
- The Muslim side objected, arguing the request was legally inappropriate and prejudicial; the court’s decision is seen as interim relief for the Eidgah committee.
- The main dispute centers on Hindu claims that the mosque was built on the birthplace of Lord Krishna after demolishing a temple during Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s reign.
- A 1968 compromise between the temple and mosque trusts, allowing both sites to coexist, is being challenged as fraudulent by the Hindu side.
- Eighteen suits over the site are currently clubbed before the Allahabad High Court, with the Supreme Court also monitoring aspects of the case.
Lucknow: In a significant development in the high-profile Krishna Janmabhoomi Shahi Eidgah dispute, the Allahabad High Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking to officially refer to the Shahi Eidgah mosque in Mathura as a “disputed structure” in all future legal proceedings. The court, presided over by Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra, held that such a declaration would amount to prejudging the matter, which is still under active adjudication.
What Was the Plea?
The application, filed by advocate Mahendra Pratap Singh and supported by other Hindu litigants, requested that the court direct its stenographer and officials to use the term “disputed structure” instead of “Shahi Eidgah mosque” in all records and hearings related to the ongoing suits. The petitioners argued that, as in the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi case, the court should first acknowledge the site as disputed before issuing its final verdict.
Court’s Reasoning and Muslim Side’s Response
Justice Mishra orally observed that granting such a request “at this stage” would be inappropriate, as it would effectively prejudge the case before all evidence and arguments are heard. The Muslim side, including the Eidgah committee and the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board, had filed written objections, arguing that the request was legally unsound and would unfairly influence the proceedings. The court’s decision is seen as a significant interim relief for the Eidgah committee and the broader Muslim community involved in the dispute.
Background: Decades-Long Dispute and the 1968 Compromise
The Krishna Janmabhoomi–Shahi Eidgah dispute centers on claims by Hindu petitioners that the Shahi Eidgah mosque was constructed on the site of an ancient temple believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, after its demolition during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. In 1968, a compromise was reached between the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan (temple management) and the Shahi Masjid Eidgah Trust, allowing both religious sites to function side-by-side. However, this agreement is now being challenged by Hindu litigants, who allege it was fraudulent and seek the mosque’s removal and restoration of the temple.
Legal Status and Next Steps
Currently, 18 suits related to the site have been consolidated before the Allahabad High Court, which took over the cases from the Mathura district court in 2023. The Supreme Court is also monitoring the matter, having stayed a previous order for a scientific survey of the mosque and emphasizing the need for the High Court to resolve the core issues. The High Court had previously ruled that the Hindu worshippers’ suits are maintainable and not barred by the Limitation Act, Waqf Act, or the Places of Worship Act, 1991.
What Lies Ahead
While Friday’s order settles one procedural aspect, the broader constitutional and historical questions at the heart of the Krishna Janmabhoomi–Shahi Eidgah dispute remain unresolved. The case continues to be one of the most closely watched legal and religious battles in India, with both sides awaiting a final verdict on the site’s future.
