Indian SC bars Hindus from holding religious event at Eidgah

Top court dismisses HC order allowing Karnataka govt to organise the religious function

India’s Supreme Court has ruled that Hindu religious event (Ganesh Chaturthi) will not be held at Eidgah Maidan — a ground where Muslims hold congregational prayers – in Bengaluru city.

A three-judge bench of the top court ordered “status quo” on a petition filed by Karnataka Wakf Board and Central Muslim Association of Karnataka challenging an order of August 26 of the high court allowing the state government to organise the religious function on August 30-31, Indian media reported.

The SC said that for 200 years there was no such function organised and the land in question was stated to belong to the Wakf Board and ordered that the status quo be maintained.

The court said other issues raised in the petition will be decided by the high court and disposed the appeal off.

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The Basava Bommai-led BJP government in the southern Indian state earlier informed the top court that it had allowed religious and cultural activities for a limited period from August 30.

Kapil Sibal, arguing on behalf of the Wakf Board, told the top court the order of a division bench of the Karnataka HC would create unnecessary tension in the area.

The Eidgah [or Idgha] Maidan has been at the centre of a controversy over its ownership between the Wakf Board and the city administrative body – the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

Earlier this month, it was said the property belonged to the revenue department.