Published Sep 16, 2023 | 4:57 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 16, 2023 | 4:57 PM
Hubballi's Eidgah Maidan (Supplied)
The Municipal Corporation of Hubballi-Dharwad has granted conditional permission to celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi at the Eidgah Maidan in the city.
The civic body granted permission after the High Court of Karnataka on Friday, 15 September, quashed a petition by Anjuman-E-Islam, seeking a stay on the corporation’s approval to hold the celebration.
BJP MLAs Aravind Bellad and Mahesh Thenginkai, Mayor of Hubbali-Dharwad, West, and other BJP leaders had been on a sit-in protest for the past two days — 14 and 15 September— seeking permission to celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi at the maidan, also known as Hubli Kittur Rani Chennamma Ground.
The protesting BJP workers also accused the Congress government of indulging in appeasement politics.
Though the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) had passed a resolution allowing certain Hindu outfits to install the Ganesha idol and carry on with the festivities at the maidan, the Commissioner had not given a written permission.
The Anjuman-E-Islam approached the court against the resolution permitting the festivities.
The Dharwad Bench of the Karnataka High Court, on Friday, quashed the petition, allowing HDMC commissioner Dr Ishwar Ullagaddi to grant permission to celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi at the Eidgah Maidan.
However, the permission was granted with riders: The organisers should obtain the permission of the city police commissioner; the installation of the idol would be allowed only from 6 am on 19 September to noon on 21 September; the pandal should not exceed 30×30 feet; no flags, posters or controversial photos should be displayed; and no entertainment programmes should be held.
The organisers would also be responsible for any untoward incident. Sentiments of non-believers or other religions should not be hurt. Additionally, the corporation has also banned any inflammatory statements or speeches during the festivities.
“We have imposed these conditions so that the sentiments of people from other religions are not hurt. The municipal laws allow us to give the ground for festivals free of cost for one year. There was no pressure on us against giving the permission,” HDMC Commissioner Dr Ullagaddi said.
He added that the civic body waited till the high court disposed of the writ petition.
Last year, the Karnataka High Court had allowed Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations to go ahead at the Eidgah Maidan in Hubbali. The order, rejecting the petition filed by Anjuman-E-Islam, said the ground belonged to the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation and it could provide the land on rent as it desired.
The Eidgah Maidan in Hubballi was caught up in a dispute from 1970 onwards till the Supreme Court in 2010 upheld that it is the exclusive property of the HDMC.
In 1921, the ground was leased to the Anjuman-E-Islam for 999 years to hold prayers, and in the 1970s, the organisation started constructing a commercial complex around the ground located in the heart of the city. This was challenged in court and a long litigation process followed.
The apex court had granted permission for prayers to be held twice a year but prohibited building any permanent structure on the ground.
