Bengaluru, November 18 : Jamia Masjid row has come to the forefront with Hindutva party Bajrang Dal submitting a PIL in the High Court demanding to vacate it. The PIL claimed that there are proofs that the mosque was once a Hindu temple in the Indian state of Karnataka.The petition stated, “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.”
Bajrang Dal activists have further demanded resurvey of the mosque on the lines of Gyanwapi masjid. The PIL was submitted by the state President of Bajrang Dal Manjunath. Including Manjunath, 108 devotees of Hanuman have petitioned.
The number 108 is considered as auspicious in Hindu tradition and hence, 108 devotees have become parties, Bajrang Dal sources explain.
Earlier, Hindutva groups had sought nod from the authorities to conduct prayers in the mosque. The issue had become a hot topic in the state.
The mosque authorities have already made several appeals to the concerned authorities to protect the Jamia mosque from Hindu activists.
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 Sultan. The mosque has three inscriptions that mention nine names of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).
Narendra Modi Vichar Manch had made submissions to the authorities for survey of the mosque, and maintain that they strongly believe with evidence that Jamia masjid was built after razing down Hanuman temple.
Masjid committee’s challenge to maintainability of suit seeking possession of Gyanvapi Mosque dismissed
A court in Varanasi in Indian state Utter Pardash dismissed an application of the Anjuman Masjid Committee, which manages the Gyanvapi Mosque, challenging the maintainability of a title suit praying to hand over the possession of the Gyanvapi Mosque premises to Lord Vishweshwar Virajman (Swayambhu) and others.
Dismissing the application, the fast-track court of Civil judge (senior division) Mahendra Kumar Pandey posted the case for further hearing on December 2.
The court had reserved the judgment on the matter on October 27.
The suit prays that the possession of the entire Gyanvapi complex be handed over to the Hindus and the plaintiffs be allowed to offer their prayers to the Hindu deity and worship the ‘Shivling’ reportedly found inside the mosque premises on May 16.
It is important to note that this is a different suit not connected with another suit pending before the Varanasi Court filed by 5 Hindu women worshippers seeking all-year-round rights to pray inside the Gyanvapi Mosque premises. agencies