Famous temple-mosque disputes of India: Conflict between religious unity and diversity

India is a country with a civilization that is thousands of years old and is home to many religions, languages and cultures. The Indian Constitution gives every citizen of the country the right to practice and follow the religion of their choice. The citizens of diverse India have always taken pride in living in harmony among different castes, religions and cultures.

But, despite this diversity and harmony, some sensitive disputes remain, which are related to religion and places of worship. There have been long-standing disputes over the names of especially temples and mosques in many historical sites. Many of these disputes have gone to the courts, highlighting the challenges of maintaining unity in diversity.

The dispute related to temples and mosques is not new in India. The most discussed of these was the Ram Mandir and Babri Masjid dispute. But there are many such disputed places in the country about which both sides have different opinions. In such a situation, let us tell you the story of the biggest temple-mosque disputes in the country. Let us tell you which are the 10 famous temple and mosque-related controversies, what is the reason for them and what is their entire history.

Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid dispute ended

In the year 2019 on 9th November, in the hopes of the devotees, finally Ram Lalla's exile ended. With the Supreme Court signing the right of land in the name of Ram Lalla, it was decided that a grand and divine temple of Lord Ram would be built in Ayodhya. When Ayodhya is mentioned, the Ram Mandir movement is also mentioned. When the Karsevaks demolished the disputed structure in 1992. But after the decision of the Supreme Court, the most famous dispute in the country has now been resolved.

Vishnu Stambh- Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

The controversy has once again deepened over the idols installed in the structure of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in the Qutub Minar complex in the capital Delhi. Hindu organizations demonstrated right in front of Qutub Minar demanding a change in the name. Jai Shri Ram slogans are being raised there during the demonstration. People demand that the name of Qutub Minar be changed to Vishnu Stambh. There is also controversy over the fact that the remains of idols of gods and goddesses can be seen in many places inside Qutub Minar. It is alleged that the idols of Gods are being insulted by placing them on the ground in the mosque complex. There is also controversy over the upside-down Ganesha idol in the Qutub Minar complex. Organizations say that the upside-down idols installed in the mosque are hurting the sentiments of the people of the Hindu religion, so they should be removed from there. Pictures of gods and goddesses and religious symbols are made on the existing complex, walls and pillars of Qutub Minar. The figures of Lord Ganesha, Vishnu, Yaksha-Yakshini, Mahavira and Nataraja will also be seen in these. Apart from this, a statue of Lord Ganesha has been kept imprisoned in an iron grill. It is said that this statue was installed in the wall of the mosque built after the demolition of the temple. It is claimed that these statues were built after demolishing 27 Jain and Hindu temples built by King Anangpal Tomar. The statue of the Sun God is carved in a half-round shape on the pillar of the Qutub complex. It is claimed that idol worship is forbidden in Islam, so no Islamic ruler will get such figures made. Apart from this, symbols of Mangal Kashaal, Shankh, Gada and holy lotus will also be seen in the Qutub Minar complex. The claim on the inscription of the mosque and the idols of Hindu deities in the Qutub Minar complex are the main reasons that inspire Hindu organizations to demand worship here and this dispute of Qutub Minar is being fueled at a time when the dispute of Taj Mahal in Agra and Gyanvapi in Kashi is already going on.

Taj Mahal-Tejo Mahal

The dispute over Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, is not new. The targeting of Hindu religious places by the Mughals during their rule in the country is considered the basis of the entire dispute. Historians have different opinions on this matter. But a new twist in this dispute came when an application was filed in the Allahabad High Court demanding to bring out the secret of the 22 closed rooms of the Taj Mahal. It has been claimed that the Taj Mahal is not a mausoleum but a temple of Mahadev. The petition filed by the BJP leader regarding the Taj Mahal claims that idols of Hindu deities, ancient Shivling and inscriptions may be present in these rooms closed since the British era. In this petition filed in the court, it has also been said that at the place in Agra where the Taj Mahal is located now, in the year 1212, King Parmardidev had built a temple of Lord Shiva, which was named Tejo Mahalaya or Tejo Mahal, but Shah Jahan demolished Tejo Mahalaya and converted it into a mausoleum.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple-Gyanvapi Mosque

These days the controversy is heated over the demand for darshan, worship and security in other idols including Shringar Gauri located in Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Gyanvapi Mosque premises. The Varanasi court was directed to survey the condition of Shringar Gauri Temple and other temples of deities in Gyanvapi Mosque and Kashi Vishwanath premises. The place where the idol of the deities is located is open for worship once a year. Five women filed a petition in the court and appealed to the court to allow daily worship in the Shringar Gauri temple. It is said that at the end of the 11th century, Vishwanath temple was looted and demolished by Mohammad Ghori. After the demolition of Ghori, the temple was rebuilt and in 1211 this work was done by a merchant from Gujarat. But in the year 1447 it was demolished by the Sultan of Jaunpur. Then Raja Man Singh started the reconstruction of Kashi Vishwanath temple. But he had to stop this work midway. In 1585, Raja Todarmal got the temple renovated. Raja Todarmal handed over its responsibility to Pandit Narayan Bhatt. A grand temple was built. On April 18, Aurangzeb issued a special decree to all his governors spread across the country. All the governors should demolish all the temples and schools of Hindus at their own will. Stop idol worship completely. After this order, on 2 September 1669, Aurangzeb was informed that the famous Vishwanath temple of Kashi had been demolished. The basement is claimed to be on the ground floor of the disputed site and the wall of the ancient temple behind the dome of the mosque. There is a giant Nandi outside the Gyanvapi Mosque, whose face is towards the mosque. Apart from this, pictures of gods and goddesses are engraved on the walls of the mosque. These things are also described in Skanda Purana.

Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi- Shahi Idgah

The Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shahi Idgah Mosque dispute in Mathura is also a very sensitive case of religious dispute in the country. Ranjana Agnihotri, a resident of Lucknow, has filed a suit demanding ownership of 13.37 acres of land of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi. It also demands the removal of the Shahi Idgah Mosque built in Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi. Shahi Idgah Mosque is adjacent to the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple complex in Mathura city. This place is considered to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Hinduism. Where Lord Krishna was born, there used to be a prison earlier. It is said that Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, irritated by the grandeur of the Sri Krishna temple, demolished it in 1669 and Idgah was built in a part of it. To remove this Idgah, lawyer Vishnu Jain and Ranjana Agnihotri have filed a case in the court.

Bhojshala Temple - Kamal Maula Mosque

The dispute of Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Mosque in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh is also very old. At present, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) takes care of this disputed place. From the Hindu side, it is called Bhojshala, the ancient temple of Goddess Saraswati. While Muslims call it their place of worship i.e. mosque. Both sides are fighting a case in the court regarding its rights. In the year 2013, there was a lot of tension here on the day of Basant Panchami. During this time, after the violence, the police had to fire in the air because the Hindus refused to leave the place. Regarding this temple, it is claimed that King Bhoj was a worshipper of Goddess Saraswati. He built a grand school in the form of Bhojshala in Dhar in 1034 AD and installed her idol. Historians say that Alauddin Khilji demolished Bhojshala in 1305 AD. Later, Dilawar Khan Gauri built a mosque in a part of Bhojshala in 1401 AD. In 1514, Mahmud Shah Khilji also built a mosque on the remaining part. A situation of dispute arose here from the time of British rule, which continues till today.

Charchika Devi Temple- Bija Mandal Mosque

There is a major place in the Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh state which is known as Bija Mandal. If historians are to be believed, Vidisha City was named Bhelsa after Bija Mandal. Inside this Bhelsa, there is a building named Bija Mandal. On which both Hindus and Muslims claim their rights. Vijay Mandir was a hundred yards high and it was visible from three hundred miles away. This temple is also called the temple of Charchika Devi. These temples were established in the 10th to 11th century and were built by Parmar kings. When a dispute started regarding this building, the district administration handed it over to the Archaeology Department, after which its name was changed to Bija Mandal. It is believed that in 1233-34, Aurangzeb attacked this Bija Mandal with cannons and destroyed the Mandal. During the period of Aurangzeb, a huge mosque was built in place of this Bija Mandal.

Bhadrakali- Jama Masjid

This story is related to the city of Karnavati, which is known today as Ahmedabad. This glorious city of Gujarat was known by different names in different eras. Sometimes Bhadra, sometimes Karnavati, sometimes Rajnagar and sometimes Asawal. From the 9th to the 14th century, this region was ruled by the brave Parmar kings of Malwa-Rajasthan. After the 14th century, the era of invasions by Muslim invaders began. It is said that during this time the peak of the huge Bhadrakali Mata temple of Karnavati was demolished and a mosque was built in its place. The Jama Masjid that is present in Ahmedabad was built by Ahmed Shah I in 1424. Most of the pillars of this mosque are made in the style of Hindu temples. Many of its pillars have carvings of lotus flowers, elephants, coiled snakes, dancers, bells etc., which are often seen in Hindu temples.

Atala Masjid

Atala Masjid located in Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh has also been surrounded by controversies. It is said that this mosque was built by Ibrahim Shariqi in 1408. But it is claimed that even before this there was a beautiful city here, which was settled by King Vijaychandra of Kannauj, he also built this Atala Devi temple, but due to the vandalism of Ibrahim, this temple was razed to the ground.

Adinath Temple - Adina Masjid

Dina Masjid is located in the Malda district of West Bengal. One of the largest mosques in India, this mosque was built in 1396 AD by Sultan Sikandar Shah to celebrate a glorious victory against the Delhi Sultanate. It is believed that he destroyed the ancient Adinath temple of Lord Shiva and built the Adina Masjid in its place. Designs of the style of Hindu temples are seen in many parts of Adina Masjid.

Rudra Mahalaya Temple - Jami Masjid

Rudra Mahalaya is located in Siddhpur village of Patan district of the state of Gujarat. Rudra Mahalaya was one of the grand Hindu temples of ancient Gujarat. Which was destroyed. According to some historians, Rudra Mahalaya temple was built in the 12th century by the ruler of Gujarat, Siddharaj Jai Singh. Rudra Mahalaya is dedicated to another form of Lord Shiva, Rudra Swaroop. The grandeur of Rudra Mahalaya can be gauged from the fact that the historians of Sultan Ahmed Shah have compared the idols of this temple with the idols of China. Between 1410-1444, Alauddin Khilji destroyed the premises of this temple. Ahmed Shah also built a mosque there which is now known as Jami Masjid.