Several Hindu organisations in Karnataka have announced a massive rally and a bandh call on July 12 to press their demands for allowing Hindu festivals in Bengaluru’s Chamarajapet Eidgah Maidan.
A meeting was also held in this regard by Hindu organisations at Jangama Mutt of Bengaluru, wherein the members demanded that the Maidan should be designated as a playground for all.
To challenge the claims of the Wakf Board on the Eidgah Maidan, a total of 25 Hindu organisations, including local groups, have joined hands to wage a legal battle and are carrying out door-to-door campaigns in the locality to create awareness among the people to retain it as a playground.
Maulana Maqsood Imran Rashadi, Imam of Jamia Masjid in City Market said that the place belongs to Waqf Board and Muslims have the right over the place.
“This is undoubtedly Eidgah’s place and Muslims have a right on the place. Now they (Hindu organisations) are just trying to do mischief. It is also the police’s responsibility to take strict action against them even if they try to do unnecessary and absurd protests over there. The responsibility also falls on the ruling government to stop them from doing such tricks and strictly handle those people and take action against them if necessary,” he told The Cognate.
When asked if any action will be taken from the Muslim community in this regard, Maulana Imran said, “When it is our property why will we take legal action. Unless and until they try to disrupt peace and harmony, we will not do anything. Because there is no need of any legal work for the structure.”
He said Hindus and Muslims have been leading lives peacefully in the city, “But there are some people who are causing problems and they should not be allowed to do such things.”
Urging Hindus to stop such protests from taking place, the Imam said, “Our Hindu brothers especially from Bengaluru should come forward and stop such elements and things from happening.”
Meanwhile, the Hindu groups have slammed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for its stand over the property, which had first claimed the Eidgah Maidan as its own property and later saying that it has no ownership of the property. They urged the Bhartiya Janata Party led-ruling government to intervene and resolve the issue.
Last month, BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath told reporters that the Eidgah Maidan is not owned by the civic body and they do not have any authority to respond to the submissions seeking permission to celebrate Independence Day on the ground.
A few Hindutva groups had earlier sought permission from the BBMP to hold festivals on the ground that is currently used as a playground but is actually a ground for Muslims to offer namaz.
“Since the BBMP doesn’t have ownership of the land and there is an injunction against the civic body from entering the property, there is no question of the civic body permitting others to hold events on the grounds,” Girinath told The Hindu.
The Supreme Court had given an absolute judgement in 1964, saying that BBMP has no authority over the Eidgah property and the land belongs to the Central Muslim Association (CMA).
Karnataka Waqf Board Chairman Shaafi Saadi had told The Cognate that the Apex court passed judgement in their favour because they submitted all the documents and the corporation failed to submit the documents. “It proved that the Eidgah maidan belongs to CMA,” he said.
According to the Supreme Court order, the right-wing group members said that Muslims should be allowed to conduct prayers on two occasions in a year and the rest of the days the Eidgah ground should be used as the playground.
However, Maulana Saadi noted “In its judgement, the Court noted that only because the children are playing on the land doesn’t make it a playground. Even using the word playground for the place is illegal.”
Chamarajpet Citizens’ Federation has confirmed that the bandh will be observed in Chamarajpet and members from Hindu and local organisations will be taking a massive bike rally on July 12 from Sirsi Circle to Eidgah Maidan.
Chamarajpet, which is a home to sizable number of Muslims is considered one of the sensitive regions in Bengaluru. Congress MLA Zameer Ahmad Khan represents the constituency.
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Rabia Shireen is a Staff Reporter at The Cognate.
