Krishna Janmabhoomi Issue: Here's Why District Administration Has Imposed Section 144 In Mathura Ahead Of 6 December

Following an announcement made by the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha that it will install a Lord Krishna idol at the deity’s “actual birthplace”, the Mathura district administration has imposed prohibitory orders under CrPC section 144.

The police have also made several arrests to prevent any kind of disturbance in the law and order situation. "Nobody will be allowed to disturb the peace and tranquillity in Mathura," District Magistrate Navneet Singh Chahal said.

Sensitive situation amid clampdown in Mathura

Following Hindu Mahasabha’s announcement, another Hindu outfit, the Narayani Sena, has proclaimed that it will take out a “Sankalp Yatra” (march) from Vishram Ghat to Shri Krishna Janmasthan, demanding the “removal” of the ‘Shahi Idgah’ mosque. This mosque is close to the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, and was built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb after destroying the temple.

In view of this announcement, the police informed that it had detained Narayani Sena secretary Amit Mishra in Mathura Kotwali, while the outfit claimed that its national president Manish Yadav had been detained in Lucknow. Apart from this, the police have also arrested state secretary Neeraj Sharma from Mathura for disrupting peace.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Grover said that Section 144 is already in force and that strict action would be taken against those found indulged in spreading rumours. He said the police had received information that some organisations planned a foot march to the Shahi Idgah mosque on 6 December.

At the same time, he apprised that the police have met leaders of the minority community, and they have been taken into confidence regarding the security arrangements at the mosque. The SSP has urged the public to help the police in maintaining law and order.

DM Navneet Chahal said he, along with SSP Gaurav Grover, reviewed the security arrangements in proximity of both the religious places, i.e. the Katra Keshavdev Temple and the Shahi Idgah.

Hindu Mahasabha’s announcement

The Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha has announced that it will install an idol of Lord Shri Krishna at the 'actual birthplace' of the deity in Mathura, which it claims is in a mosque near a prominent temple here. Hindu Mahasabha leader Rajyashree Choudhary said the statue would be installed on 6 December after performing 'Maha Jal Abhishek' to 'purify' the place.

He further informed that water for the 'Maha Jal Abhishek' will be brought from numerous holy rivers. "We have only got political freedom so far, spiritual, economic and cultural freedom is yet to be achieved," Chaudhary exclaimed.

The date chosen for the installation of the idol inside the mosque coincides with the anniversary of the demolition of the disputed structure in Ayodhya in 1992. However, Choudhury denied any correlation between the 1992 incident and their announcement regarding Mathura.

The Mahasabha's threat to perform rituals inside the Shahi Idgah comes at a time when local courts are hearing a series of petitions seeking the "removal" of the seventeenth-century mosque located close to the Katra Keshav Dev Temple.

DM Navneet Chahal informed that the Mahasabha had requested permission to install the idol at the mosque, but it was turned down. “Question of granting permission to any event that may potentially disrupt peace does not arise,” Chahal added.

CRPF report mentions enhanced suspicious activity at the Idgah

With regard to speculations of rising tensions in Mathura, a special report sent on 24 November to the centre by the Director General (DG) of Central Relief Police Force (CRPF) apprehended that there is possibility of deteriorating law and order situation in the next few days.

Based on the report, various central intelligence and security agencies are on high alert. The CRPF DG, in his report, said that many suspicious activities have started at the Ibadatgah (mosque).

The report mentions that since this tension started, there has been a sudden spike in the number of worshippers and visitors at the Shahi Idgah mosque. It has also been reported that the activities of many of these people are quite suspicious, and it seems that they are secretly taking stock of the security arrangements - the number and positioning of soldiers etc.- at the Idgah.