The Karnataka Waqf Board has petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the Ganesh Chathurthi celebrations on the ground.
Digital Desk: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that the status quo in the Bengaluru Idgah Maidan case be preserved and that no Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations be conducted at the site.
Earlier in the day, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that the Karnataka government has granted permission for the Bengaluru Idgah ground to be utilized in connection with Ganesh Utsav for two days — Wednesday and Thursday.
The ruling was issued by the Supreme Court during a hearing on a petition challenging the Karnataka High Court's decision in the case.
A two-judge panel comprised of Justices Hemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia forwarded the case to a three-judge court, stating that "there is a difference of view among the justices." Justices Indira Banerjee, A S Oka, and MM Sundresh make up the new bench.
The two-judge bench further granted permission to refer the case to Chief Justice of India (CJI) U U Lalit.
On August 25, a single bench of the Karnataka High Court ruled that the site may only be used as a playground and for the government or the BBMP to celebrate Independence Day and Republic Day. It further said that the Muslim community can give prayers on Eids.
However, a division bench changed the order on appeal the next day, allowing the government to make a land decision.
The state Waqf board has petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the Ganesh Chathurthi celebrations at the stadium. Waqf attorney and prominent advocate Kapil Sibal requested an urgent hearing into the subject, warning a bench led by Chief Justice of India U U Lalit that "unnecessary tensions will be generated" if the matter is not heard soon. Muslims have been using the property for decades, according to Sibal.
Earlier on Monday, sources suggested the Karnataka government may let a temple affiliated with the Muzrai department, rather than any Hindutva or local organization, establish a one-day pandal at Bengaluru's controversial Idgah Maidan for Ganesh Chathurthi on August 31.
The BJP government has been under pressure from Hindutva groups wanting to install a Ganesh statue at the 2.5-acre Idgah Maidan in south Bengaluru since the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) ruled on August 6 that the 2.5-acre Idgah Maidan belonged to the state rather than the Waqf board, which was granted congregational rights over the land in 1965.
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