Karnataka High Court allowed Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at Hubballi's Eidgah Maidan

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• Aug 31, 2022 | Poonam Nath

The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has decided to permit Ganapati idol installation in Idagh Maidan in Hubballi for three days.

Digital Desk: The Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Hubballi's Eidgah Maidan were approved by the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday evening. The state government's decision to permit Ganesh Chaturthi festivities at Hubballi's Eidgah Maidan was being challenged in court during the hearing of an urgent petition.

"There is no title issue in this specific instance, hence the petitioner is not entitled to an SC interim order. The High Court gave the all-clear for Ganesh Chaturthi in Hubballi's Eidgah Maidan.

This year's spectacular 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival will start on August 31 and conclude with the Visarjan ritual on September 9.

In his appearance on behalf of the state government, Additional Advocate General Dhyan Chinnappa noted that the Eidgah Maidan case in Hubballi was distinct from the one in Bengaluru.

"The government's order was challenged in the Bengaluru case." This is a contentious issue because Waqf was unable to substantiate its title claim. That question does not exist in these circumstances. A lawsuit was filed on this matter a long time ago. The suit was permitted. "It was started by private individuals," he stated.

"The trial court ruled that the general public had the right to utilize the land." The first appellate court stated whether the property belonged to Waqf or not. The court dismissed the appeal, as well as the SLP. There is no dispute over title or ownership in this case. They only have the privilege of performing namaz for two days during Ramadan and Eid al-Adha, "he continued.

According to the AAG, the corporation owns the property (Hubballi's Eidgah Maidan) (Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation). "A company has the right to use its resources in whatever way it sees fit." I understand that if they are forbidden for the two days indicated, they can appear in court; but, if they are not barred for the two days, they cannot. Finally, what was provided was permission, not a right. "The Commissioner issued this ruling after considering all considerations," he continued.

The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has approved the installation of the Ganapati idol in Idagh Maidan in Hubballi for three days. After a lengthy discussion with elected members and bureaucrats, Hubballi-Dharwad Mayor Iresh Anchatageri announced the decision late on Monday.

According to authorities, Muslims are permitted to worship at the ground twice a year, as per a Supreme Court justice following a disagreement, and the HDMC hoists the national flag there on Independence Day and Republic Day.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court, hearing a case over the usage of Bengaluru's Idgah Maidan during Ganeshotsav, directed both parties to maintain the status quo.

A three-judge panel comprised of Justices Indira Banerjee, Abhay S Oka, and M M Sundresh was hearing a petition by the Karnataka Waqf Board contesting the High Court's ruling allowing the use of Bengaluru's Idgah Maidan for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

While passing the decision, the court directed both parties to maintain the status quo and stated, "No puja, no namaaz for the time being."

"You may hold the Pooja somewhere." The interim status quo will be maintained for two days before returning to the High Court. "The Supreme Court made a statement.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Pratap Reddy stated that appropriate security has been put in place to ensure that the status quo at Idgah Maidan is maintained.

According to reports, a division bench of the Karnataka High Court granted the state government permission on August 26 to review and give suitable directions on applications submitted by the Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru (Urban) seeking the usage of Idgah Maidan in Chamarajpet.

Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai addressed the topic, saying, "It has been determined that the property falls under the Revenue Department, thus it is under the government, and any programmes or events can be approved following the government's regulations and procedures." We shall make our decision per the law."