Ganesh Chaturthi: Soon after preparations began, the idol of Lord Ganesha has been installed at the Hubbali-Dharwad's Idgah ground in Karnataka, and the festival was celebrated amid tight security. The move came a day after the Karnataka High Court upheld authorities' decision to allow Ganesh Chaturthi at the Idgah ground.
Amid chants of vedic hymns, Sriram Sena chief Pramod Muthalik along with his supporters installed the idol of Lord Ganesha and offered prayers on the occasion. “We performed the prayers within the legal framework. Some miscreants had attempted to stop us but we performed our Pooja, which is not only a matter of joy for the people of Hubballi but also across north Karnataka,” Muthalik told reporters at the Pooja Pandal.
K Govardhan Rao, Convener, Rani Chennamma Maidan Gajanan Utsav Mahamandal said the Rani Chennamma Maidan belongs to the Municipal Corporation, and hence a request was made on behalf of the Samiti Mahamandal, that Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations be allowed there. "Puja will be conducted in the traditional way, and we're going to celebrate this festival for 3 days as per the direction of the Municipal Corporation. We're going to follow all instructions that have been given," he added.
Muthalik termed the day as 'historic' as the long-cherished dreams of the Hindu community was fulfilled. Elaborate security arrangements were made at the Idgah ground to avert any untoward incident.
In a late-night hearing on Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court upheld an order of the Dharwad municipal commissioner allowing the Ganesh Chaturthi festival to be held at the Hubballi Eidgah maidan.
Justice Ashok S Kinagi held that the property belonged to the Dharwad municipality and Anjuman-e-Islam was only a lease holder for a period of 999 years at a fee of Re 1 per year. The court had heard the issue earlier in the day. The municipal commissioner's order was challenged in the 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 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.
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