Hindu religious leaders condemn Allahabad HC remark that Puranas written on hearsay

A general view of Allahabad High Court. File
| Photo Credit: AFP via Getty Images

Key religious leaders, including Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath and Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara, have condemned the recent judgment of the Allahabad High Court in which it had declined to make Radha a party in the disputed Krishna Janabhoomi structure in Mathura stating that ‘Puranas’ were written on hearsay.

In its order dated May 23, a bench of Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra, while hearing a petition that pleaded to make Hindu goddess Radha a joint holder of the disputed Krishna Janambhoomi property, said that the reference given by the petitioner is based on something written in the Puranas and Samhitas wherein Shriji Radha Rani is considered as soul of Lord Krishna.

“The Pauranic illustrations are generally considered as hearsay evidence in legal context. In the case of Pauranic illustrations, these are graphic representations of stories and events and the truth of events they depict is usually based on narrative and not on direct observation or testimony. There is no evidence in support of the claim raised by the applicant that the applicant is entitled as a joint holder of said land of 13.37 acres, and the property of the applicant is also involved in suit property claimed by the plaintiff No. 1 as the birthplace of Lord Krishna,” the court said.

‘Ignorance’

Reacting to the court’s remarks, Avi Mukteshwaranand Saraswati, Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath, said that the remarks made by the judge shows his ignorance on the religion.

“The judge must remember the Ram Janambhoomi case in which the Supreme Court has accepted the statements written in Skanda Puran and other religious texts of the Hindu religion and gave the property to Ram Lalla,” said the Shankaracharya in a video message.

He added that the legal system in India, as per the past orders of the Supreme Court, has to accept the Hindu religious texts when the matter is related to Hindu rights and structures.

‘Puranas are scientific’

Speaking to the media, Kailashanand Giri, Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani, also criticised the HC’s remarks and said that Puranas are completely authenticated and scientific.

“The judge has the full right to decide based on his discretion, but he also has the responsibility to maintain the trust of the people. He said that we believe in God only on the basis of what is written in the Puranas. He said that we believe in God only on the basis of what is written in the Puranas. We see the form of Lord Ram and Krishna through it,” he added.

Jitendranand Saraswati, general secretary of Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti, said that every scripture of Sanatan Dharma including the character of Lord Ram has been termed as ‘myth’ by the people in the past but they were proven wrong.

“Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran and Gita both are part of the Mahabharat. We cannot say that they were written on hearsay. The HC has said something like this it should reconsider its view,” he added.

Slamming the High Court, the Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhara, Swami Yatindranand Giri said that in a religious dispute, such religious texts are quoted while pointing out that ‘Puranas’, “Vedas’ and “Upanishad’ are the ‘granths’. He also said that courts must think twice before hurting the religious sentiments of people.