Mathura, Kashi suits: Man, son are faces of Hindu side

LUCKNOW: In legal battles surrounding religious sites in UP, three high-profile cases stand out - the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid, Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi, and Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah disputes. A common thread in these complex court cases is the presence of a father-son lawyer duo representing the Hindu side - Hari Shankar Jain (70), and his 38-year-old son Vishnu Shankar Jain.

They have devoted their expertise to more than 100 cases related to Hindu religion or places of worship, all within the framework of their guiding principle: "Hindu revolution by legal awareness." They undertake these legal battles pro bono.

Beginning his legal practice in 1978-79 from the Lucknow bench of Allahabad high court, Hari Shankar later shifted to the Supreme Court. A native of Prayagraj, now residing in New Delhi, he credits his mother Vibhawati Devi for playing a crucial role in motivating him to work in the interest of the Hindu community.


"My father Nem Chandra Jain was in judicial services, but was strictly against this and wanted me to become a judge in the high court," he told TOI on Sunday. "When I decided to take up the Ram Janmabhoomi case, my father refused food for two days. But as fate would have it, I chose to follow the path shown by my mother."

Hari Shankar gained national recognition when appointed as the counsel for Hindu Mahasabha in the Ayodhya dispute in 1989. Since then, both father and son have actively participated in or filed over 100 cases involving community issues.

Vishnu Shankar, who became an advocate on record in 2016, initiated his legal career with the Ayodhya dispute, a testament to the inspiration he drew from his father. According to Hari Shankar, his son has pledged to bring ongoing cases related to the community's rights to their conclusions even if it takes place after his father's lifetime.




Both lawyers are steadfast in their commitment, not accepting any remuneration for their services in cases related to Hindu causes, covering expenses from their earnings in other legal matters. "The day we decide to take money or put an eye on some post for our services, the very purpose of Hindu welfare will be defeated," Hari Shankar said.

With the resolution of the Ayodhya dispute by the SC, the duo has redirected their attention to Gyanvapi and Shahi Idgah disputes in Varanasi and Mathura, respectively.

The father-son pair represents the petitioners, including the deity Bhagwan Sri Krishna Virajman and seven others, who moved the Mathura court in September 2020, claiming that the Idgah was built atop the birthplace of Lord Krishna. They filed an application in Allahabad HC seeking a court-mandated survey of the Idgah. The court, on December 14, granted permission to appoint a commission for this purpose. The next hearing is scheduled for December 18.



Similarly, the father and son are serving as counsel for the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi case, where the district judge has instructed the ASI to submit its report on a scientific survey of the mosque complex on December 18.

Hari Shankar has alsofiled cases related to the Qutab Minar and Taj Mahal, claiming that the former was built on 27 Jain shrines, while Taj Mahal stands on the site of a Shiva temple.