HINDU AND MUSLIM SIDES REJECT MEDIATION IN GYANVAPI DISPUTE, PREFER COURT VERDICT

Tue 14 July 2026:

Both Hindu and Muslim parties in the long-standing Gyanvapi dispute rejected mediation on Tuesday, asserting that the matter should be resolved through judicial adjudication rather than an out-of-court settlement.

The parties appeared before the mediation centre at a Varanasi court as part of the Supreme Court’s ‘SAMADHAN SAMAROH’ initiative, aimed at promoting amicable resolutions in sensitive religious site cases ahead of a special Lok Adalat scheduled for August 21-23.

Hindu side counsel Madan Mohan Yadav told reporters that the Muslim side declined mediation, citing multiple similar cases pending before the Supreme Court and their preference to abide by the apex court’s verdict. The Hindu side echoed this position, demanding that the Muslim side vacate the premises, describing it as an encroachment. They advocated for the construction of a grand Kashi Vishwanath temple at the original Jyotirlinga site.

Similar views were expressed by parties involved in the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah dispute in Mathura and the Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid case.

The Gyanvapi dispute centres on conflicting claims regarding the religious character of the mosque complex adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Hindus argue the mosque was built after the demolition of an ancient temple during the Mughal era, while the Muslim side maintains it is a legitimate Waqf property.

Hindutva groups are systematically challenging the status of numerous historical mosques in India, claiming they were built over demolished Hindu temples. By bypassing the Places of Worship Act, which protects the character of religious sites as of 1947, these legal and political campaigns are fueling severe communal unrest and legal battles nationwide.

The Loophole: Groups frequently target sites under ASI control, as archaeological sites are exempted from the 1991 Places of Worship Act.
Survey Controversies: Courts have frequently permitted ASI surveys to determine the “true nature” of disputed sites. Muslim caretaker committees argue these surveys violate the 1991 Act and embolden hostile takeovers.

Prime Minister led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has faced intense criticism and international concern for its involvement in a surge of mosque and madrasa demolitions across India. Since mid-2026, authorities in BJP-ruled states (including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Rajasthan) have bulldozed dozens of Muslim religious sites, citing anti-encroachment laws and unauthorized construction.

Muslim leaders, the political opposition, and international human rights groups argue that this is politically motivated “bulldozer justice”. Critics accuse the BJP of selectively targeting Islamic heritage to polarize voters, pointing out that similar unpermitted structures for other religions are often left untouched.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

__________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22