Karnataka HC gives go-ahead for Ganesh festival at Idgah Grounds in Hubbali

The Karnataka High Court said, in the case of the property in question, it was not a religious place of worship and was allowed for prayers only during Bakrid and Ramzan. During other times, it was used for purposes like a marketplace and a parking lot.

Hubbali (Karnataka): The Karnataka High Court in a late-night hearing on Tuesday allowed the Ganesh Chaturthi rituals to be held at the Hubballi Idgah maidan by upholding an order of the Dharwad municipal commissioner. Justice Ashok S Kinagi held that the property belonged to the Dharwad municipality and Anjuman-e-Islam was only a leaseholder for a period of 999 years at a fee of Re 1 per year. This comes after the Supreme Court ordered status quo in Bengaluru's Idgah Maidan case, earlier on the same day.

The municipal commissioner's order was challenged in the High Court by Anjuman-e-Islam. The court had allowed the commissioner's order but at the same time, the Supreme Court was hearing the issue of the festival being allowed at the Chamrajpet Idgah maidan in Bengaluru.

Anjuman-e-Islam had claimed that the property in question was protected under the Places of Worship Act, 1991, which says no religious place of worship can be converted. The high court, however, said in the case of the property in question, it was not a religious place of worship and was allowed for prayers only during Bakrid and Ramzan. During other times, it was used for purposes like a marketplace and a parking lot. The Supreme Court order of status quo in the Bengaluru Chamrajpet ground was also not applicable to this case, the high court said.

The Chamrajpet issue involves a dispute about the ownership of the property, whereas the Hubballi ground belongs to the municipality, which Anjuman-e-Islam has also acknowledged, the court pointed out. It had said if there was a Supreme Court order on the Bengaluru Idgah issue, the same could be mentioned before it.

Earlier on Tuesday, the apex court directed the Karnataka government to halt its decision to allow the celebrations at Idgah Maidan in Bengaluru. The Court has also ordered a status quo on land by both parties, Waqf Board and the State government, and has set the petitioner at liberty to approach the High Court for resolution. (with Agency inputs)