Amid Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) “Srirangapatna Chalo” call to chant Hanuman Chalisa in Jamia Masjid on Saturday, the historical town of Karnataka has turned into a police fortress with nearly 400 personnel deployed around the mosque.
Mandya district administration has imposed curfew from Friday evening till Sunday morning and action will be initiated against those who violate the prohibitory orders.
Cops have blocked the Hindu right wing groups on Mysuru- Bengaluru highway, after nearly 300 members tried to enter the town as a part of their “Srirangapatna Chalo” rally. They chanted slogans against the erstwhile ruler of Mysuru Tippu Sultan, who built the Jamia Masjid and said that temple will be built on the mosque, according to reports.
Meanwhile, a group of Tippu Sultan’s supporters protested in Chikkamagalur against the VHP and Bajrang Dal’s Srirangapatna Chalo rally.
Hindutva groups have also sought a permission from district authorities to conduct prayers in the mosque.
Jamia masjid also known as the Masjid-i-Ala, is located inside the Srirangapatna fort. It was built in 1786-87, during the rule of Tipu.
Earlier, the Narendra Modi Vichar Manch, a Hindutva outfit claimed that Jamia masjid was built after demolishing the Hanuman temple.
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Rabia Shireen is a Staff Reporter at The Cognate.