The Supreme Court has referred the Gyanvapi mosque-temple dispute in Varanasi and the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Mosque case in Mathura to Special Lok Adalats under its Samadhan Samaroh-2026 initiative, urging Hindu and Muslim parties to seek negotiated settlements.
Gyanvapi dispute heads to Special Lok Adalat
The Gyanvapi case will be heard by a Special Lok Adalat on August 21, 22, and 23, with a pre-conciliation meeting scheduled for July 14 in Varanasi. The court’s move is part of a broader effort to resolve long-pending disputes through mediation, marking its 75th anniversary with the Supreme Court Action for Mediated Adjudication and Disputes Harmonization Across Nation (SAMADHAN SAMAROH) program.
Mathura case sees stalled mediation
The Mathura dispute was also referred to a Special Lok Adalat, but initial conciliation failed after Muslim representatives did not attend the hearing. Hindu litigant Mahendra Pratap Singh noted that 18 related suits are pending in the Allahabad High Court, with seven SLPs recently filed in the Supreme Court before the Lok Adalat referral.
Broader settlement push includes other disputes
The court has extended its mediation drive to other religious disputes, including the Hari Mandir-Mosque case in Sambhal. The Samadhan Samaroh-2026 initiative aims to create a platform for dialogue in high-profile cases, though success depends on the willingness of all parties to participate.
Observers will watch whether the upcoming hearings in Varanasi and Mathura yield progress in these long-standing disputes.
