The Karnataka high court on Tuesday granted permission to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at the Idgah Maidan in Hubballi in a midnight hearing.
The order came as the high court rejected a petition filed by the Wakf Board challenging the permission granted by the Dharwad civic body to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at the Idgah maidan in Hubballi. The hearing was held at the chamber of Justice Ashok S Kinagi.
The verdict came hours after the Supreme Court halted Ganesh Chaturthi at the Idgah Maidan in Chamarajpet in Bengaluru maintaining the status quo on the property.
In the Hubballi Idgah case, the petitioner claimed that the municipal commissioner is attempting to change the place of worship and that Hindus are wanting to establish a Ganesh pandal for the first time.
AAG Dhyan Chinnappa said there is no dispute to title of property in this case, adding that the circumstances surrounding the Chamarajpet land are differenet from those of the current case.
The high court said the property has not been declared as a place of worship.
The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has decided to allow installation of a Ganesha idol for three days at the Idgah Maidan in Hubballi.
According to a Supreme Court order following a dispute, Muslims are allowed to hold prayers at the ground twice a year (Ramadan and Bakrid), while the civic body hoists the national flag during Independence Day and Republic day there.
The Idgah Maidan in Hubballi has long been a fertile issue to raise communal passions. Analysts say the Idgah controversy contributed to the spread of the BJP’s influence in the state and with the party demanding to celebrate Ganesh Chathurthi at the controversial sites in both Hubballi and Bengaluru, it may well be hoping to bank on the issue again.
