Calls for Justice Intensify Over Gyanvapi and Mathura Temple Surveys: Activists Decry Judicial Delays

By Hindutone Staff | October 10, 2025

VARANASI/MATHURA – The triumph of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya continues to inspire a fervent movement for justice at two of Sanatan Dharma’s holiest sites: the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi and the Shahi Idgah in Mathura. Hindu activists and devotees are rallying for expedited surveys to uncover what they believe are ancient temples buried beneath Mughal-era mosques. Yet, prolonged court delays have sparked widespread frustration, fueling a powerful social media campaign under the hashtag #TempleJustice, which has gone viral with millions amplifying the call for truth. “The judiciary’s hesitation isn’t just a delay—it’s a denial of our sacred history,” declared Vishnu Shankar Jain, counsel for the Hindu plaintiffs in the Gyanvapi case, echoing the sentiments of countless supporters online.

This surge of activism follows partial survey revelations and perceived judicial reluctance, which many argue undermines the spirit of the 2019 Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya. With over 18 interconnected lawsuits pending in Mathura and repeated deferrals in Varanasi, these cases have become rallying points in a broader mission to reclaim sites allegedly desecrated during medieval invasions. This week, devotees across Uttar Pradesh gathered in Varanasi and Mathura for peaceful protests, waving placards proclaiming “Uncover the Truth: Survey Now!” while chanting Vedic hymns in a powerful display of unity.

Gyanvapi: A Glimpse of Truth Stalled by Judicial Caution

Nestled beside the sacred Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Gyanvapi mosque has been at the heart of legal battles since 1991, when descendants of temple priests first sought its reclamation, alleging that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb razed the original Vishweshwar Temple in 1669 to build the mosque. A pivotal moment came in 2023 when the Varanasi district court authorized a scientific survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), excluding the sealed ‘wuzukhana’ (ablution pool) area. The ASI’s findings, presented in a sealed report, were staggering: 55 stone sculptures, including idols of deities like Shiva and Parvati, alongside architectural remnants unmistakably pointing to a pre-existing temple.

Yet, progress has stalled. In December 2024, the Allahabad High Court postponed hearings on pleas to survey the wuzukhana—where a structure identified by Hindus as a ‘Shivling’ was found in 2022—until February 2025, citing a Supreme Court stay that bars lower courts from issuing survey orders under the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The Supreme Court, prioritizing caution in such sensitive matters, has scheduled its next hearing for April 2025, halting further excavations. “Denying carbon dating of the Shivling and now pausing even basic surveys feels like justice obscured,” said Rakhi Singh, a lead petitioner, during a rally outside the Varanasi court.

The Muslim side, represented by the Anjuman Intezamia Masajid Committee, insists the structure is a defunct fountain and argues that surveys violate the 1991 Act by “digging into history.” Hindu advocates, however, point to the ASI’s discoveries—pillars adorned with floral motifs and trishul symbols—as undeniable evidence of a temple’s foundation, urging the judiciary to prioritize truth over political sensitivities.

Mathura’s Shahi Idgah: A Sacred Site in Limbo

In Mathura, the dispute centers on the Shahi Idgah mosque, constructed by Aurangzeb in 1670 on what Hindus revere as the Krishna Janmabhoomi—the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Petitioners assert the mosque was built after demolishing the grand Katra Keshav Dev Temple, a claim supported by Mughal chronicler Saqi Mustaid Khan’s records. Over a dozen lawsuits, including demands to relocate the mosque and void a 1968 compromise agreement, are now before the Allahabad High Court.

In August 2024, the High Court upheld the validity of 18 suits, dismissing the mosque committee’s argument that they contravene the 1991 Act, and ordered a court-monitored survey by a three-member advocate commission. However, in January 2025, the Supreme Court issued a stay on the survey until April, deeming the Hindu side’s application “vague” and emphasizing the need to first establish the site’s “religious character.” A recent development in April 2025 saw the apex court agree to assess whether the Idgah qualifies as an ASI-protected monument, potentially exempting it from the 1991 Act—a move that could hasten proceedings but has intensified tensions.

At a gathering near the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, activist Rakesh Singh invoked divine resolve: “Just as Ayodhya was reclaimed through faith and law, Mathura awaits its hour. These delays test our patience but not our devotion to Bhagwan Krishna.” Petitioners have presented evidence of underground cellars and temple debris, pressing for ground-penetrating radar (GPR) scans to reveal the site’s sacred heritage.

#TempleJustice: A Digital Uprising Gains Momentum

Frustration has ignited a digital firestorm, with #TempleJustice amassing over 500,000 posts since September 2025, blending demands for surveys with critiques of judicial inertia. Viral videos from Varanasi capture devotees performing aarti near Gyanvapi’s gates, while Mathura’s feeds showcase archival sketches of the original temple complex. Influential voices like @dharmafirst123 have amplified the cause, with one post declaring, “Hindu temples lie buried beneath Mughal mosques—Gyanvapi, Mathura—yet surveys are blocked, and justice mocked. This system fuels a revolution: a mass movement to reclaim our sacred heritage!” A viral image, garnering 1,500 likes, juxtaposed ASI findings from Gyanvapi with Supreme Court stay orders, captioned “Truth Buried Deeper.”

Youth engagement has surged, with online petitions on Change.org surpassing 100,000 signatures. “Social media is our modern-day sabha,” said Priya Sharma, a Varanasi-based campaigner. “It’s uniting Hindus worldwide—from the US to the UK—in demanding transparency and justice.”

A Movement Rooted in History, Fueled by Faith

These disputes trace back to a painful era of iconoclasm: Aurangzeb’s 1669 edict alone destroyed over 200 temples, including Vishweshwar and Keshav Dev, as chronicled in the Maasir-i-Alamgiri. The 1991 Act, enacted to preserve communal harmony post-Babri, has inadvertently shielded such sites from scrutiny, excepting only Ayodhya. Yet, the Supreme Court’s 2019 ruling signaled that historical injustices could be addressed without unraveling communal peace, paving the way for Gyanvapi and Mathura.

Legal experts like Senior Advocate Hari Shankar Jain remain optimistic, predicting a breakthrough by mid-2026 if April’s hearings greenlight surveys. “The evidence is irrefutable—architectural anomalies, inscriptions, and artifacts all proclaim ‘temple,’” he said. Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has tightened security around both sites, with CM Yogi Adityanath reaffirming a commitment to “dharma’s triumph through due process.”

As Diwali nears, temples in Varanasi and Mathura glow with diyas, symbolizing hope and resilience. For activists, this is more than a legal battle—it’s a quest to reclaim a civilizational legacy. “Justice delayed is justice denied, but our resolve is unbreakable,” Singh declared. With #TempleJustice resonating globally, the movement grows stronger, urging courts to illuminate the shadows of history.

Hindutone.com stands with the pursuit of truth in our sacred heritage. Join the conversation: What does #TempleJustice mean to you? Share your thoughts below.

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