HC: Use Ch'pet Maidan for prayers and as playground

NT Correspondent

 Bengaluru

 In a verdict which will impact the plans of some pro-Hindutva groups to organise Ganesh Chathurti celebrations at the Chamarajpet Idgah Maidan, the Karnataka High Court in an interim order on Thursday, ordered maintenance of the status quo on the Maidan issue and directed the state government and Karnataka State Board of Wakf to utilise the land only as a playground and for prayer services during Ramadan and Bakrid. No Friday prayers will be allowed at the Maid[1]an, the Court said.

The orders were passed by Justice Hemant Chandangoudar after the Wakf Board moved the court challenging the order dated August 8 holding that the land belongs to the Revenue Department. The next hearing is on September 23.

The Wakf Board had claimed that the land belongs to the Central Muslim Association (CMA), and cited the 1964 Supreme Court ruling, which gives them ownership. However, BBMP had said that Idgah Maidan belonged to the Revenue Department, which the Wakf Board had challenged.

 State Wakf Board Chairman Maulana Shafi Saadi held a press conference following the High Court interim order and said: "There was a dispute between us and the BBMP due to confusion. The High Court has made a clear decision today and we welcome it." Earlier in the day, Revenue Minister R. Ashok had reportedly remarked that there is a need to seriously think of holding Ganeshotsav at the Maidan. "I have already issued orders to celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava at the ground".