Both Sides Decline Settlement Talks
The long-running Gyanvapi dispute will continue through the judicial process after both the Hindu and Muslim parties declined an attempt to resolve the matter through mediation.
As part of an initiative encouraging negotiated settlements in pending cases, the Supreme Court had asked both sides to appear before the mediation centre of a Varanasi court on Tuesday. However, representatives of both parties have indicated that they are unwilling to pursue an out-of-court resolution.
Hindu Side Wants Court to Decide the Matter
Representatives of the Hindu petitioners maintained that the dispute should be settled strictly through legal proceedings rather than negotiations.
Counsel Madan Mohan Yadav said the Hindu side believes the matter should be adjudicated by the courts based on legal merits.
He stated, “We have decided that the temple belongs to us and that the Muslim side is an encroacher. The mosque side should vacate the premises so that a grand Kashi Vishwanath temple can be built at the original Jyotirlinga site.”
Muslim Committee Also Rejects Mediation
The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee has also expressed its unwillingness to participate in mediation.
Committee secretary Mohammad Yaseen said he does not believe the dispute can be resolved through negotiations and therefore decided against joining the mediation process.
Part of Supreme Court’s Mediation Initiative
The mediation proposal was made under the Supreme Court’s ‘Supreme Court Action for Mediated Adjudication and Disputes Harmonisation Across Nation (SAMADHAN SAMAROH)’ programme.
The initiative aims to encourage amicable settlements in pending disputes ahead of the Special Lok Adalat scheduled for August 21, 22 and 23, reducing the burden on courts through voluntary mediation wherever possible.
Background of the Gyanvapi Case
The Gyanvapi dispute concerns the religious status of the Gyanvapi Mosque, located next to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.
The Hindu side contends that the mosque was built after portions of an ancient temple were demolished during the Mughal period and seeks restoration of the site.
The Muslim side, however, maintains that the mosque is a legally recognised waqf property and disputes the historical claims made by the petitioners.
With both sides refusing mediation, the matter is now expected to continue through the regular judicial process.
Q1. Why did the Supreme Court suggest mediation in the Gyanvapi dispute?
The mediation was proposed under the Supreme Court’s SAMADHAN SAMAROH initiative to encourage amicable settlement of pending cases.
Q2. Did the Hindu side agree to mediation?
No. The Hindu petitioners said they want the dispute to be decided by the courts.
Q3. What is the Muslim side’s stand?
The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee also declined mediation, saying it does not see a negotiated settlement as possible.
Q4. What is the Gyanvapi dispute about?
The dispute concerns the religious status of the Gyanvapi Mosque located adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi.
Q5. What happens next?
Since both parties have declined mediation, the case will continue through the judicial process.
