No Ganesh festival at Idgah ground in Bengaluru: All you need to know

Timeline of Communal Tension at Idgah Ground

Dispute between BBMP and Karnataka Waqf Board

Over the years, 2.1 acres of land in the heart of Chamarajpet, one of the oldest Bangalore Gazetted as a Waqf property.

The ground is used as a playground for all. However, an Idgah also exists for prayers on the festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Maps of Bangalore and documents from 1871 and 1938 also show the land as an Idgah and a burial ground.

However, there is a dispute going on between the two parties regarding the ownership of the land. Two months ago, the city’s municipal corporation, the Brihat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), claimed the playground as its property. Meanwhile, Muslim organizations have claimed that the land actually belonged to the Karnataka State Waqf Board.

BBMP took a U-turn at Idgah ground

After claiming for a long time that the ground was in their possession, the Bengaluru civic body took a sudden turn and dropped its claim in June this year.

BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath said, “We don’t have land, but we had ground.”

Apart from this, the BBMP has also asked the Karnataka Waqf Board to initiate the process of changing the ownership document and submit all the required documents to verify the records.

Hindutva Group for Idgah Maidan

After the BBMP dropped the claim, several Hindutva groups such as Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Vishwa Sanatan Parishad, Shri Ram Sena, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Jagran Samiti and Vishwa Hindu Parishad allegedly plotted to take over the land to Congress MLA BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan. Aimed to create. Waqf Board.

Opposing the BBMP’s stand on ownership, Hindutva organizations launched door-to-door campaigns, demanding that the land be kept as a playground.

Meanwhile, members of Hindutva groups also took to the streets, ensuring that shopkeepers do not open their shops and forcefully enter the grounds on July 12, only to be detained by the police. outfit too x[ressed their wish to rename the Maidan after Jayachamaraja Wadiyar, the last king of Mysore.

Karnataka High Court stance

On 26 August, the Karnataka High Court granted permission to hold Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at Idgah Maidan in Bengaluru’s Chamarajpet. The court’s nod came after the BJP-led state government filed an appeal against the 25 August interim order to maintain status quo.

In its order, the high court said that the government can take a call to permit the festival on the ground which has been caught up in a row.

Ganpati idol to stay for 3 days

In the latest update, the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has decided to allow installation of Ganapati idol for three days at Idagh Maidan here. Hubballi-Dharwad Mayor Iresh Anchatageri announced the decision late on Monday after holding a prolonged meeting with elected representatives and officials. The decision was taken based on the recommendations by a House committee that was constituted by the HDMC to decide on this issue.

Supreme Court order

The Supreme Court Tuesday refused to grant permission for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at Idgah Maidan in Bengaluru and ordered status quo on land by both parties.

A three-judge bench headed by Justice Indira Banerjee asked the parties to approach the Karnataka High Court for the resolution of the dispute.

“The issues raised in the Special Leave Petition may be agitated by both parties before the High Court. In the meanwhile, the status quo as of today will be maintained by both sides. SLP is disposed of,” the bench also comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and M M Sundresh said.

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