Parties Oppose Supreme Court Move For Mediation In Gyanvapi, Mathura & Sambhal Temple-Mosque Disputes

In a significant move aimed at exploring an amicable resolution to some of the country's most contentious religious site disputes, the Supreme Court has referred the Gyanvapi mosque dispute in Varanasi, the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute in Mathura, and the Sambhal Jama Masjid dispute to a special Lok Adalat, "Samadhan Samaroh", to be held in the Supreme Court premises from August 21 to 23.

The Supreme Court (administrative side) has written to the parties involved in the matter to explore amicable settlement of the three disputes under the 'Supreme Court Action for Mediated Adjudication and Disputes Harmonisation Across Nation-Samadhan Samaroh 2026 '. The "Samadhan Samaroh" is proposed as a forum for facilitating dialogue and negotiated resolution, though any settlement would depend entirely on the consent of the parties involved. It will begin from August 21 to August 23.

However, as per reports, both sides have opposed a mediated settlement, opting for a resolution of the matter on legal merits through adversarial litigation.

The Muslim party to the Gyanvapi dispute, Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, has released an official statement that it has rejected the Supreme Court's proposal for mediation. 

It said: "To reduce the burden of millions of pending cases in various courts, the Honorable Supreme Court has initiated the "Samadhan Samorah" (Solution Court) for the settlement of cases through mutual consent. In this, cases pending at the District Court, High Court, and even the Supreme Court level are to be settled through a special Lok Adalat on the basis of mutual consent. Highly sensitive cases like the Gyanpavi Mosque have also been included. The Gyanpavi Mosque case has become a topic of discussion among ordinary Muslims due to its prominent mention in the news. It is important to mention here that this invitation is not binding, therefore Anjuman Intezamia Masjid has decided that it will not participate in this resolution ceremony at any level."

About the disputes

Sambhal mosque 

The Supreme Court is hearing a challenge to the Allahabad High Court's May 19, 2025 judgment, which allowed a civil suit relating to the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal to proceed, holding that it was not barred by the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.

The suit was filed by eight Hindu plaintiffs claiming that the mosque was constructed in 1526 after partially demolishing a temple dedicated to Kalki. They seek access to the site, which is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

The Trial Court had appointed an advocate commissioner to carry out a local investigation of the mosque premises, which led to communal violence in November 2024. The Supreme Court later stayed the trial proceedings while the Mosque Committee's challenge to the survey order was pending before the High Court. Currently, a status quo order has been operating with respect to the Hindu plaintiffs' suit against the mosque.

Gyanvapi mosque

In the Gyanvapi matter, the Supreme Court is hearing Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee challenging the Allahabad High Court's order, which said that the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991 does not bar the ongoing civil suits regarding the Gyanvapi dispute.

The religious character of the complex, as it existed on August 15, 1947, is to be determined by the Varanasi civil court, the High Court clarified. The trial court is currently hearing a suit relating to the ownership, religious character, and worshipping rights.