Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas says it wants an out-of-court settlement, proposes alternative land for mosque relocation in Mewat
MATHURA — A fresh development has emerged in the long-running dispute surrounding the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shahi Jama Masjid complex in Mathura, with a Hindu organisation calling for mediation by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and proposing an out-of-court settlement.
The Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas has written to Akhilesh Yadav, urging him to play a role in resolving the dispute through dialogue and mutual agreement rather than prolonged litigation.
The trust has also put forward a proposal under which the Muslim side would be offered 10 acres of alternative land in Mewat for the construction of a new mosque, while the Hindu side would bear the expenses associated with the relocation and construction process.
Leaders of the trust said they approached Akhilesh Yadav because of his political influence and his association with the Yadav community, which traces cultural links to Lord Krishna.
According to the trust, the Samajwadi Party leader could help facilitate discussions between the parties and encourage a peaceful settlement.
The letter urges him to clarify his position on the issue and assist in finding a solution acceptable to all sides.
Representatives of the trust expressed disappointment over what they described as the absence of Muslim representatives during recent court proceedings.
According to trust officials, Hindu litigants appeared before the Mathura court in compliance with directions issued during the legal process, but they claimed that no representative from the Muslim side was present on the scheduled date.
The Muslim side has not publicly responded to these allegations.
Trust representatives said the development prompted them to reach out directly to both the mosque committee and political leaders in an effort to encourage dialogue.
In what the trust describes as an attempt to resolve the dispute amicably, it has proposed an out-of-court agreement.
Supporters of the proposal to relocate the mosque argue that a negotiated settlement could help avoid further legal battles and promote communal harmony.
However, there has been no official response from the mosque committee regarding the offer.
Speaking on behalf of the Hindu side, Dinesh Falahari, petitioner in the case and chairman of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, said the organisation seeks what it considers a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
“We want the birthplace of Lord Krishna to be freed. We are requesting Akhilesh Yadav to come forward, clarify his position and help resolve the issue peacefully,” he said.
Falahari added that the trust preferred dialogue and mutual understanding over confrontation and was willing to take steps that could contribute to a settlement.
The Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Jama Masjid dispute is one of several religious site disputes currently before Indian courts.
Various petitions filed by Hindu groups seek legal recognition of claims relating to the site, while Muslim organisations have maintained that the existing mosque enjoys legal protection and that the matter should be decided through constitutional and judicial processes.
The dispute remains under judicial consideration, and courts have yet to deliver a final determination on the competing claims.
Political observers say the trust’s appeal places Akhilesh Yadav in a sensitive position, given the religious, legal and political dimensions of the dispute.
Whether the Samajwadi Party leader responds publicly to the request remains to be seen.
Similarly, the reaction of the mosque committee and Muslim organisations to the proposal will be closely watched.
For now, the trust’s offer and its call for mediation have introduced a new element into a dispute that has largely been fought through the courts.
As legal proceedings continue, any attempt at dialogue outside the courtroom is likely to attract attention from political parties, religious organisations and community leaders across the country.
