UP to K'taka: Similar litigation underway in several courts

The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh high court on Friday held that the disputed Bhojshala Temple-Kamal Maula Mosque complex in Dhar district is a temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, and that the statutory freeze imposed by the Places of Worship Act, 1991 would not apply since the site is a protected ancient monument governed by a different law.

- HT Correspondent

Shahi Idgah mosque and Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura.

(PTI)

Section 4 of the 1991 Places of Worship Act law says that the religious character of a holy site “shall continue to be the same as it existed” as it was on August 15, 1947, the day of independence. The only exception, under Section 5, said: “...nothing contained in this act shall apply to the place or place of worship commonly known as Ram Janma Bhoomi-Babri Masjid situated in Ayodhya.” Here's a look at key cases under litigation in the context of the Act.

The Gyanvapi mosque, situated close to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dispute stems from claims by Hindu devotees that the mosque was built atop a pre-existing Hindu temple.

A civil revision petition filed by Rakhi Singh, challenging the Varanasi District Judge's order dated October 21, 2023 refusing to direct the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to survey the Wazukhana area except for the ‘Shiva Linga’ inside the Gyanvapi Mosque. In the revision petition, it has been said that the ASI survey of the “wazukhana” area is necessary so that the religious character of the entire property could be determined. The case was first heard on January 24, 2024 and next date of hearing is July 20, 2026.