No consensus in Kashi, Mathura and Sambhal: Can these matters be resolved through mediation?

The Supreme Court's attempt to encourage an out-of-court settlement in three temple-mosque disputes has failed. Both Hindu and Muslim parties in the Gyanvapi dispute in Varanasi, the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute in Mathura, and the Shahi Jama Masjid case in Sambhal have rejected the mediation proposal. The top court had invited the parties to participate in its voluntary Samadhan Samaro 2026 initiative scheduled for August. However, both sides have opted for court adjudication over mediation, insisting that the disputes should be decided by courts on merits as per law. Meanwhile, sadhus have given a call to perform kar seva in Mathura on August 8th, raising political temperatures in Uttar Pradesh.