The Allahabad High Court may announce its decision today on declaring the Shahi Idgah Masjid in Mathura a disputed structure. The Hindu side has claimed that a temple existed at the site of the mosque earlier and has presented historical evidence to support this claim.
Uttar Pradesh: A significant decision is expected today from the Allahabad High Court regarding the long-standing dispute between the Shahi Idgah Masjid and the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura. This decision is considered important not only from a legal perspective but also because its repercussions could be felt far and wide in social and religious circles.
Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra of the Lucknow bench of the High Court had reserved its judgment on this matter, which is likely to be announced today. The main petitioner on behalf of the Hindu side, Advocate Mahendra Pratap Singh, had filed a petition requesting that the Shahi Idgah Masjid be declared a 'disputed structure'.
What is the case?
The dispute over the Shahi Idgah Masjid, located near the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura, has become particularly intense since 2020, when some organizations and petitioners claimed in court that the mosque was built on the site that was once the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
The petition filed by Mahendra Pratap Singh states that historical evidence and old books clearly show that there was originally a temple there, which was demolished and converted into a mosque during the Mughal period. Singh has demanded that the mosque be declared a 'disputed structure' and that legal restrictions be imposed on it.
Reference to historical documents
Petitioner Mahendra Pratap Singh has cited several historical documents and authors to support his claims. This includes Mughal-era texts like 'Masir-i-Alamgiri', reports by 19th-century collector F.S. Growse, and land revenue records of Mathura from the British Raj.
He argued in court that:
- The name of the Shahi Idgah is not mentioned in the Khasra Khatauni (land records).
- There is no valid record of it in the municipal corporation either.
- Electricity connections are being used illegally, and a complaint of electricity theft has also been registered.
- The mosque management committee is neither paying taxes nor following any government regulations.
Based on this, he demanded that the structure be declared disputed until there is evidence of the mosque's legitimacy.
United support from the Hindu side
In this entire matter, several other Hindu organizations and individuals have also supported Mahendra Pratap Singh. They collectively strengthened Mahendra Pratap Singh's arguments during the debate and called it a matter of faith related to Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi.
All the parties emphasized that this case is not just about a religious site, but is linked to the sentiments and religious rights of millions of devotees.
Silence of the Shahi Idgah management
On the other hand, the Shahi Idgah Masjid Management Committee has not yet presented any concrete documents in court to publicly clarify the legal status of the mosque. Their side has so far claimed that the dispute was already resolved in the 1968 agreement, which cannot be raised again.
However, the petitioners have challenged this agreement, calling it illegal, and have stated that the agreement did not protect the rights of the actual birthplace.
Court proceedings and today's hearing
The petition filed by Mahendra Pratap Singh on March 5, 2025, had been under continuous debate for the past few months. After hearing the arguments of both sides, Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra had reserved the decision, which is likely to be announced today, July 4, 2025.
According to sources, this case is at the top of the court's agenda, and additional police forces have been deployed in Prayagraj and Mathura for security reasons.
Decision and potential impacts
If the Allahabad High Court declares the Shahi Idgah Masjid a disputed structure, this decision could spark a new debate legally, socially, and religiously, not only in Mathura but across the country.
In such cases, courts make decisions not only on the basis of documentary evidence but also while considering historical context, religious sentiments, and within the constitutional limits of the law.
Earlier, in the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, the Supreme Court had also heard the arguments of both sides in detail and delivered a historic judgment. The Mathura case now also appears to be moving in the same direction.
