Uttar Pradesh elections: How big an issue is a temple-mosque dispute in Mathura

Kapil Sharma, secretary of the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Trust, says that Mathura and the 'development of the birthplace and the construction of a grand temple' have been a major issue for religion lovers for a long time.

He said, "This topic is not of any political party. When the grand and huge temple was demolished and the Idgah was built at that place, since then there is a desire in the minds of crores of Krishna devotees to develop the birthplace of Lord Shri Krishna. also be with full divinity and grandeur."

Kapil Sharma further said, "After the construction of grand and divine Ram temple in Ayodhya, expansion, and beautification of Baba Dham in Kashi, this hope has arisen in the minds of the religious lovers that the Ganga of development which started from Ayodhya and reached Kashi. Its current has also come in Mathura. With the development of Mathura, it will take the form of Triveni.

As soon as the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh approached, the discussion started in Mathura regarding the temple-mosque issue. A case has also been filed in the court regarding this.

In December last year, UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya gave the slogan 'Mathura ki preparation'. Many meanings have been derived from this. Many people claimed that they are raising the issue of temple mosques.

Shri Krishna Birthplace and Shahi Idgah Mosque

Katra Keshav Dev of Mathura is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Adjacent to the temple complex is the Shahi Idgah Mosque. It was built in the 17th century. Many Hindus claim that the mosque was built by demolishing the temple. At the same time, many Muslim organizations reject this claim.

Dr. Abrar Hussain, joint secretary of Shahi Idgah Committee, says that the issue of temple mosque is not an issue in the assembly elections.

He says, "This Mathura city is the city of Yogiraj, Shri Krishna, and Raskhan. Here whenever Kansa has been born, Krishna has also come for his destruction. This is well known by the people here, Hindu Muslims."

He says that the real need is to remove the basic problems of the people.

Dr. Abrar alleges, "The Bharatiya Janata Party's gait, character, and face has been a lie, it has always done politics in the name of temple-mosque and caste-religion. One of their formulas was fit for the Babri Masjid, so they thought that This formula will be successful here too. But Mathura city is a city of harmony and love, people here Hindu Muslims are all close to each other."

On the other hand, BJP leader Mohammad Riazuddin refutes the allegations of Dr. Abrar. They claim that the slogan 'Mathura ki Preparation' means preparation for development works in Mathura.

Mohammad Riazuddin further says, "Just now Honorable Yogi Jihad said that the stream of development which has been flowing in Kashi and Ayodhya, he wants to shed the same stream of development in Mathura as well."

Many people have also gone to the court regarding the ownership of 13.37 acres of land of Shri Krishna Janmasthan. There is a royal Idgah on one part of this land.

Gopal Agarwal, a Congress supporter and a social worker from Mathura, claims that the temple-mosque is being talked about to divert attention from the real issues.

He says, "The issues of Mathura are not being addressed at all. In Mathura, there is inflation. Roads are broken. People are unemployed. There is no business. Health condition is not good. Issue it. Not being built. Only temples and mosques are being made an issue."

BSP leader Sangh Ratan Sethi says, "The issue should be of development, the issue should be of brotherhood, the issue should be of harmony. The issue of education should remain."

BSP leader Rahul Rawat is hoping for a solution to this issue from his party chief Mayawati.

He claims, "Behenji's government is formed, then you will see how harmoniously we resolve this issue of Janmabhoomi and Idgah. There is a difference between their (BJP's) words and deeds. The temple was built by the Supreme Court. Tell me. Who protested. You make it right.

At the same time, local youth Pundarik Ratna says, "The issue should not be temple and mosque but development and development is not a magic wand that happens overnight."

Govind Sharma, who lives in the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi area, says, "Only talks of development are being done. In the name of development, all the roads have been dug up and slammed. Electricity is very expensive. Inflation is increasing very much. Apart from this, monkeys in Mathura No one has been able to get rid of the problem of monkeys.