Today, On 20th March, The Budaun temple-mosque dispute case has been postponed, with the court deferring the hearing to April 2. The case involves a legal battle over religious site ownership, drawing significant public and political attention. Authorities have urged all parties to maintain peace as legal proceedings continue. The court’s decision to delay the hearing allows time for further arguments and evidence presentation.
The hearing for a temple-mosque dispute in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, was postponed to April 2, following a plea from the Muslim party, as informed by a lawyer representing the opposing side.
The case involves the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple and the Jama Masjid in Budaun. Advocate Anwar Alam submitted an application to the civil judge senior division fast track court, citing a Supreme Court ruling that argued the subordinate court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.
Also Read: Jama Masjid Shamsi Built Over Neelkanth Temple: Court Scheduled To Hear On Jan 18
Representing the Hindu side, Advocate Ved Prakash Sahu, explained,
“An application was presented by Alam, the lawyer for the Shamsi Jama Masjid Intezamia Committee, stating that there is a clear Supreme Court directive that the lower court cannot hear any matter related to this issue,”
The case had previously been adjourned on February 11 due to the non-appearance of the Intezamia Committee’s advocate, despite multiple court summons.
Additional delays occurred because of a lawyers’ strike and the presiding judge being on leave, Sahu noted.
The Hindu side plans to present its arguments after the Muslim side has completed its submissions.
In 2022, Mukesh Patel, then convener of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha, claimed that the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple was located at the site of the Jama Masjid Shamsi mosque and sought permission to worship there, which led to the ongoing litigation.
The Budaun temple-mosque dispute revolves around the Jama Masjid Shamsi, an 800-year-old mosque in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, which was established during the reign of Sultan Iltutmish between 1210 and 1223.
Also Read: Jama Masjid Shamsi Built Over Neelkanth Temple: Court Scheduled To Hear On Dec 17
In 2022, a Hindu organization filed a petition asserting that the mosque was built on the site of a demolished Hindu temple, specifically the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, and requested permission to pray at the mosque.
In response, the Muslim parties have disputed these claims, emphasizing the mosque’s 850-year history and arguing that no temple existed at that site before the mosque was constructed.
They also cite the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which preserves the religious character of places of worship as it was on August 15, 1947, to argue against any change in the site’s status.