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Hindu groups seek nod to hold Ganesha fest at idgah in Bengaluru
The demand comes after the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued an order claiming that the property of the Idgah maidan belongs to the state revenue department.
Rightwing groups on Tuesday demanded to celebrate Ganesha festival at an idgah ground in Bengaluru’s Chamarajpet, a day after giving a call for demolishing a wall of the idgah ground.
The demand comes after the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued an order claiming that the property of the Idgah maidan belongs to the state revenue department.
Deputy commissioner of police Laxman Nimbargi has called for a peace meeting to try and resolve the issue.
Congress MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan said Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations will not be allowed at the site on which the Idgah maidan stands in Chamarajpet. He made the statement after visiting the area on Monday.
Khan, however, said the national flag will be hoisted at the idgah maidan “The national flag will be hoisted on every occasion of Independence Day and the Republic Day. The Kannada flag will be hoisted on November 1. But Ganesh Chaturthi won’t be celebrated here,” he said.
He said he visited the maidan with the sole aim of planning for grand celebrations of the 75th Independence Day.
Commenting on the BBMP’s order, Khan said the matter the state wakf board will follow up on the matter and the legal process will follow.
Officials of the wakf board refused to issue a statement. However, an official speaking on the condition of anonymity said the board was working with its legal teams to contest the government decision.
Deputy commissioner of police Nimbargi will be holding a meeting with Muslim leaders on Wednesday.
Security has been heightened at the disputed site and a KSRP platoon has been deployed to avoid untoward incidents.
Vishwa Sanatan Parishad leader Bhaskaran has said they would soon be writing to the state government demanding the Idgah tower be demolished.
“After getting permission, we will celebrate Ganeshotsava on this ground. During the celebrations, laser lights will fall on this wall, riots had taken place in Hubballi for similar issues. This wall must be shifted to some other place to avoid tension between Hindus and Muslims. When the BBMP has said the land belongs to the revenue department, then why should that wall be situated at that place?” said Bhaskaran.
Sri Ram Sene chief Pramod Muthalik slammed Zameer and asked all Hindus to celebrate Ganeshotsava at idgah maidan. “I condemn Zameer Ahmed Khan’s statement on Ganeshotsava. I will come and celebrate Ganeshotsava, I will see how he stops me. The land belongs to the revenue department and not you or your ancestors. I appeal to all Hindus of the area to celebrate Ganeshotsava on the ground,” Muthalik said.
Revenue Minister R Ashoka said the idgah maidan belongs to the revenue department and if anyone wants to celebrate any event, they have to take permission. “If anyone wants to hold any event in idgah maidan, they have to seek permission from Bengaluru DC, we will take a decision. So far, nobody has sought permission to celebrate Independence Day. If anyone seeks permission, as it is a sensitive matter, we will discuss it with the CM and take a decision,” Ashoka said.
