Hindu and Muslim sides reject Supreme Court mediation in Gyanvapi dispute

The Hindu and Muslim parties involved in the Gyanvapi dispute have refused the Supreme Court's proposal to settle the matter through mediation. Both sides have said that the long-running religious dispute should be decided by the courts and not through an out-of-court agreement.

The Supreme Court had asked both parties to appear before the mediation centre of a Varanasi court on Tuesday to explore the possibility of resolving the dispute through mutual discussions. However, neither side has agreed to participate in the mediation process.

The mediation proposal was part of the Supreme Court's initiative called Supreme Court Action for Mediated Adjudication and Disputes Harmonisation Across Nation (SAMADHAN SAMAROH). The programme aims to encourage people involved in pending court cases to settle disputes through mediation before a Special Lok Adalat scheduled to be held on August 21, 22 and 23.

Under this initiative, several parties involved in pending legal matters have been encouraged to consider an amicable settlement instead of continuing lengthy court proceedings. However, in the Gyanvapi case, both the Hindu and Muslim sides have made it clear that they want the issue to be resolved only through the judicial process.

Both sides reject mediation

The Hindu side has said that it does not support mediation because it believes the matter requires a legal judgment. According to the lawyers representing the Hindu petitioners, the dispute concerns the ownership and religious status of the site and should therefore be decided strictly according to law.

Speaking on behalf of the Hindu claimants, advocate Madan Mohan Yadav said they believe the temple belongs to the Hindu community and that the mosque stands on land that originally housed the Kashi Vishwanath temple. He stated that the Hindu side wants the court to deliver a final verdict and argued that the mosque should be vacated so that a grand Kashi Vishwanath temple can be built at what they claim is the original Jyotirlinga site.

The Muslim side has also refused to take part in the mediation process. Mohammad Yaseen, Secretary of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, said he does not believe mediation can resolve the dispute. He stated that the committee has therefore decided not to participate in the discussions suggested by the Supreme Court.

With both parties declining mediation, the legal battle is expected to continue before the courts.

ALSO READ: First Pradosh Vrat of July 2026 to be observed on July 12; know date, puja timings and importance

ALSO READ: Sheikh Hasina says she will return to Bangladesh in December despite risk of arrest or death

Dispute remains before the courts

The Gyanvapi dispute is one of the country's most closely watched religious cases. It relates to the religious status of the Gyanvapi Mosque, which is located next to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

The Hindu side claims that the mosque was built after parts of an ancient Hindu temple were demolished during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century. According to the petitioners, the original temple existed at the site before the mosque was constructed, and they seek legal recognition of their claim over the disputed area.

On the other hand, the Muslim side disputes these claims. It maintains that the Gyanvapi Mosque predates Aurangzeb's rule and is a legally recognised waqf property where prayers have been offered for centuries. The mosque management committee argues that the property is protected under the law and that the claims made by the Hindu petitioners are not legally valid.

Over the past few years, the dispute has seen several legal developments, including court-ordered surveys and hearings on the maintainability of different petitions. The case has attracted nationwide attention because of its historical, religious and legal significance.

The Supreme Court's mediation proposal was intended to see whether both communities could reach a mutually acceptable solution without prolonged litigation. Mediation is a voluntary process in which an independent mediator helps parties discuss their differences and try to find common ground. However, mediation can only proceed if all parties are willing to participate.

Since both the Hindu and Muslim sides have declined the proposal, the mediation process is unlikely to move forward. The dispute will now continue through the normal judicial process, with courts examining the claims and evidence presented by both sides before reaching a decision.

The outcome of the case is expected to have significant legal and social importance. For now, both parties remain firm in their positions and have expressed confidence that the courts should decide the issue based on the law and the evidence placed before them. The final resolution of the Gyanvapi dispute will therefore depend on future judicial proceedings rather than negotiations outside the courtroom.