Curbs on Idgah entry, but temple open, claim Mathura residents

With piling suits and applications, claiming ownership of the land on which the Shahi Idgah mosque is built, on behalf of Lord Krishna, peace in the area surrounding the mosque compound and the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple premises — which share a wall — is prevailing under strict security blanket of the Uttar Pradesh Police and State Central paramilitary forces. As people throng the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple from all over the country for a visit, entry to the Shahi Idgah mosque is heavily regulated with just Muslims from Mathura being allowed for offering namaaz on producing their ID cards — leading to palpable frustration among Muslims in the area. The checking increased after the first COVID-19 lockdown.” At the mosque’s entrance, one of the Uttar Pradesh Police officials manning the gate said, “We check everyone’s ID card to see if it has a Mathura address and only then allow people inside for namaaz.” SP Anand Kumar said that the security is as it has been for the last few years. And even as locals insist that Muslims from outside Mathura are not allowed inside the Shahi Idgah mosque, Mr. Kumar denied this and said that all Muslims are allowed for prayers after checking their IDs.