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

Religious leaders criticise Allahabad High Court for dismissing Radha's claim based on Puranic evidence, calling it hearsay.

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.

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.

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