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Supreme Court to Hear Petition Challenging India's Places of Worship Act: A Look into the Krishna Janmasthan and Gyanvapi Disputes

In a significant development, the Chief Justice of India has announced that the Supreme Court will list for hearing in April 2025 a case challenging the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. This announcement comes from a post by Subramanian Swamy, a noted politician and the original petitioner in this case, who is actively involved in seeking judicial intervention to address historical religious disputes.

Dr. Swamy's petition seeks exceptions to the rules in The Places of Worship Act, specifically aiming at the restoration of two significant Hindu temple sites: Krishna Janmasthan in Mathura and Gyanvapi in Varanasi.

Krishna Janmasthan Temple in Mathura

According to Hindu tradition, Krishna Janmasthan in Mathura is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The site has a long history of being a focal point of religious significance, with claims that a temple dedicated to Krishna was initially built by his great-grandson Vajranabh. Over the centuries, the site has seen various transformations, including the construction of a mosque, leading to disputes over rightful ownership and religious use. Dr. Swamy's petition specifically requests the restoration of this site, arguing for the historical and religious significance it holds for Hindus.
Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi
Similarly, the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi is at the heart of another contentious dispute. The mosque was built over the ruins of the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple, which was allegedly demolished during the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The mosque's location near the famous Kashi Vishwanath temple adds to the complexity, with Hindu groups seeking permission to worship deities they believe are still present within the mosque's structure.
Dr. Swamy's argument
Dr. Subramanian Swamy's legal argument for seeking exceptions for the Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura and the Kashi Vishwanath site in Varanasi under the Places of Worship Act revolves around the profound cultural and religious significance these locations hold within Hindu tradition. He emphasizes that both sites are not merely places of worship but are deeply embedded in the spiritual and historical narrative of Hinduism. Krishna Janmabhoomi is revered as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, one of the most worshipped deities in Hinduism, with centuries-old traditions and stories associated with this location. Similarly, Kashi Vishwanath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest abodes of Lord Shiva, making it a pivotal pilgrimage site.
Dr. Swamy's contention is that these sites were originally Hindu temples before being demolished and mosques being constructed in their place during historical conquests, specifically under the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. He argues that the restoration of these temples would not only serve to restore the sanctity and continuity of Hindu religious practice but also address the historical injustices where these sacred spaces were forcibly altered.
By focusing solely on Krishna Janmabhoomi and Kashi Vishwanath, Dr. Swamy aims to highlight their exceptional status in Hindu cosmology, suggesting that their restoration is a matter of correcting specific historical wrongs.

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