Prayagraj is bracing for a pivotal hearing in the long-standing Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute. On Friday, the Allahabad High Court will resume proceedings at 2 PM sharp. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is set to submit its crucial response, potentially paving the way for arguments from both sides.
This comes amid 18 petitions filed by the Hindu side, demanding the removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque and reclamation of the land. The mosque’s advocates had earlier sought a stay on proceedings under Section 151 of the CPC, but the court pressed forward.
Rewind to January 30: A three-hour session before Justice Avinash Saxena saw ASI requesting a two-week extension to file its report. Hindu counsel Mahendra Pratap Singh highlighted the delay in case number three. The court obliged, scheduling today’s date after hearing all parties.
At the heart of this saga in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, lies a claim that Aurangzeb demolished the ancient Keshavdev temple in the 17th century to build the Idgah. Hindus assert it’s Lord Krishna’s birthplace, demanding worship rights and archaeological scrutiny.
Muslim litigants counter with historical and legal validity of the mosque. Over 18 petitions crowd the High Court’s docket, tackling ownership, rituals, and digs. As ASI’s input lands, the nation watches how this religious flashpoint unfolds, balancing faith, history, and law.