Right-Wing Groups Now Demand To Sell Ganesha Idols At Chamarajpet Eidgah Maidan

After demands for allowing Hindu festivals to be held in Bengaluru’s Chamarajpet Eidgah Maidan, right-wing outfits are now pressurizing the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to allow the sale of Ganesha idols at the site.

Besides allowing the sale of Ganesha idols, President of Vishwa Sanatan Parishad, S Bhaskaran told the Times of India that he will also demand the BBMP to grant permission to hoist the national flag on August 15. He said he does not have any problem with the civic body issuing a khata to the Karnataka state board of AUQAF if it furnishes documents proving ownership.

Bhaskaran, however, claimed that not a single document was submitted by the board to the joint commissioner so far and since the BBMP has notified the Eidgah site as a playground, a portion of it can also be utilised to sell Ganesha idols.

Hindu Jana Jagriti Samiti’s Mohan Gowda said he and Bhaskaran have already spoken to vendors who sell environmentally friendly Ganesha idols and BBMP must permit as many as 25 vendors to set up stalls at the playground.

This demand comes even though Bengaluru’s civic body is yet to take a final call on an earlier demand to hoist the national flag at the ground.

Earlier, SM Srinivasa, joint commissioner, had said he had issued notices to the AUQAF to submit ownership documents within 40 days.

BBMP had also refused permission to hold Yoga Day celebrations at the site due to its disputed status.

Meanwhile, BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath had clarified that the civic agency does not have ownership but only possession of the land.

Last week, Congress MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan who represents the Chamarajpet constituency stated that the Maidan will remain a playground forever.

“No one is saying that they will not allow children to play in the Eidgah ground. Until my last breath, Eidgah Maidan is going to remain as a playground,” Zameer Ahmed said while addressing a gathering in Bengaluru.

He had also invited those protesting to hoist the Indian flag together at Eidgah Maidan., saying “BJP MP and former corporators have not attended the programme in spite of invitation. From this year the Tricolour will be hoisted in Chamarajpet Eidgah Maidan grounds. I will listen to my people. I am their servant.”