Karnataka HC allows Ganesh Chaturthi celebration at Bengaluru’s Idgah Maidan

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Aug 26, 2022: The Karnataka High Court on Friday granted permission to hold Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at Idgah Maidan in Bengaluru’s Chamarajpet after the government filed an appeal against the August 25 interim order to maintain status quo.

 

The high court said that the government could take a call to permit Ganesha Chaturthi on the ground which has been caught up in a row.

"Indian society comprises religious, linguistic, regional or sectional diversities. The Constitution itself fosters brotherhood amongst various sections of society. The principle of religious toleration is a characteristic of Indian civilization. We therefore, at this stage, on the peculiar facts of the case, modify the interim order and permit the state government to consider and pass appropriate orders on applications seeking use of the land in question for holding religious and cultural activities for a limited period from August 31 onwards," the order read.

However, the rest of the directions contained in the interim order will remain unchanged.

The court also clarified that the observations have been made in this order only for the purpose of considering the prayer for interim relief and shall have no bearing on the merits of the matter either in this appeal or in the writ petition pending before the bench.

On Thursday, the high court, in its interim order, said that the venue should be used only as a playground and for the offering of prayers during Ramzan and Bakrid.

The Idgah Maidan is at the centre of a dispute after some organisations demanded to hold Ganesh Chaturthi celebration at the venue as it is government property. The Karnataka Waqf Board claimed the property as its own and challenged the government over the issue of ownership.

Courtesy: India Today