BENGALURU — Intensifying their claim over a mosque Bajarang Dal on Wednesday filed a PIL in the High Court of Karnataka saying that Jamia Masjid, made during the rule of Tipu Sultan, was once a Hindu temple. They also demanded that the said mosque be vacated immediately and handed over to Hindu devotees.
The petition reads, “There are traces of Hindu gods and temple structure in the Jamia Mosque of historical Srirangapatna town in Mandya district. Hence, the mosque should be vacated immediately and also, Hindu devotees should be allowed to take bath in the kalyani (traditional water body) located in the premises of the mosque,” reports IANS.
Jamia Masjid also called as Masjid-i-Ala, is located inside the Srirangapatna fort. It was built in 1786-87, during the rule of Tipu. The mosque has three inscriptions that mention nine names of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The mosque authorities have reportedly made several appeals to concerned authorities drawing their attention towards the issue and asking them to protect more than two centuries old mosque from being harmed by the aggressive Hindutva movement.
The PIL, submitted by the state President of Bajrang Dal Manjunath and other 108 Hindu devotees, also demanded resurvey of the mosque on the lines of Gyanwapi masjid.
The Bajrang Dal petitioners have also reportedly given proof of the Mysore Gazetteer, Hindu architecture in mosque, inscription of Hindu idols, the sacred water body and references of British officers to the court.
Earlier, Hindutva groups had sought nod from authorities to conduct prayers in the mosque. The issue had become a hot topic in the state.
