The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in response to an RTI query, has revealed information derived from historical records found in a 1920 gazette regarding the Mathura's Krishna Janmabhoomi temple complex. According to the ASI, an excerpt from the November 1920 gazette states: "Portions of Katra mound which are not in the possession of nazul tenants on which formerly stood a temple of Keshavdev which was dismantled and the site utilised for the mosque of Aurangzeb...".
Ajay Pratap Singh, a resident of Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh, filed the RTI seeking specific information about the dismantling of the Keshavdev temple, which is claimed to be part of the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple complex. The response to the RTI came from the office of the superintending archaeologist of the ASI, Agra circle.
This confirmation is being viewed as a significant development by those advocating for the removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque from the site.
Advocate Mahendra Pratap Singh, president of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Nyas, said that “he will place the key piece of evidence before Allahabad HC and SC”. “On basis of historical evidence, we had in our petition mentioned that Aurangzeb issued a decree in 1670 CE to demolish the temple of Keshavdev in Mathura. Following that, Shahi Idgah Mosque was built there. Now ASI in reply to the RTI query has attested the information. We’ll put forward the ASI reply in the HC during the next hearing on Feb22,” Singh said
