Opposing the move, the Waqf Board asserts that the mosque is its property and defends the madrasa’s operations as lawful
Team Clarion
BENGALURU – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre has off and on been targeting Muslim institutions, Islamic seminaries and places of worship across the nation. Several such cases have come to light in many states, most of them ruled by the Hindutva-leaning party.
As part of its strategy to obliterate the contribution of Muslims in nation-building and preservation of the country’s composite culture, the Union government has urged the Karnataka High Court to instruct the Mandya district administration and the state government to remove a madrasa operating within the Jama Masjid in Srirangapatna, a site designated as a protected monument in 1951.
The Waqf Board, opposing the move, asserted that the mosque is its property and defended the madrasa’s operations as lawful, a report in The Observer Post said on Thursday.
The issue was brought to the court following a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Abhishek Gowda from Kanakapura taluk, alleging “unauthorised madrasa activities” at the mosque.
Representing the Union government, Additional Solicitor General K Arvind Kamath argued that despite the site’s protected status, madrasa activities continue. He cited concerns over law and order issues, which have deterred intervention thus far, and requested court directives for action.
On the other hand, legal representatives for the state government and the Waqf Board countered the claim by stating that the Waqf Board has been the recognised owner of the property since 1963. They maintained that madrasa operations within the mosque are legitimate under Waqf law, the report said.
The division bench, led by Chief Justice NV Anjaria, adjourned the case for further arguments, scheduling the next hearing for November 20.
The mosque was built in 1786-87 by the great warrior Tipu Sultan close to his palace. The mosque has three inscriptions that mention the nine names of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The inscriptions also mention Tipu Sultan as the builder of the mosque. The mosque is maintained and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Hindu right-wing groups have made claims that the mosque was built over a Hanuman temple. Inscriptions on the mosque written in Persian, however, state that Tipu was the builder of the mosque.
