Tamil Nadu: Residents call for halting inauguration of Jammaithul Ulema office fearing its conversion into a mosque

Residents of Suleeswarapatti in Pollachi have submitted a petition to the District Collector opposing the establishment of a Tamil Nadu Jammaithual Ulema office in their locality. The petitioners, expressing concerns and fears, allege that the office may eventually be converted into a mosque and madrassa.

In the memorandum, locals highlighted that the land was purchased by Muslim groups fully aware that Suleeswarapatti is predominantly a Hindu locality. The delegation that presented the petition included representatives from the Hindu Munnani organisation. They claimed that there has been a recent pattern of Muslim groups buying land in Hindu-majority areas to build mosques.

The petitioners have urged the District Collector to take immediate action regarding their concerns to maintain communal harmony in the area.

Information about Suleeswaranpatti Locality

Suleeswaranpatti, located 2 km from the central station in Pollachi town, Coimbatore district, has seen recent development with the creation of residential plots named Akshaya Garden. Given its central location in Pollachi, many people have purchased land and built houses, quickly transforming Akshaya Garden into a bustling residential colony. The majority of residents in Akshaya Garden and nearby areas are Hindus.

Tamil Nadu Jammaithul Ulema office opening at Suleeswaranpatti

Residents of Akshaya Garden in Suleeswaranpatti, Pollachi, have expressed growing concerns over the construction of a building on Plot No. 25B, recently purchased by a Muslim individual. Initially believed to be a residential house, suspicions arose as the structure took the design of a mosque.

It was soon revealed that the building is intended to serve as the new office for the Tamil Nadu Jammaithul Ulema’s Pollachi unit. The organisation has announced the office’s inauguration on July 24, with flex banners displayed throughout Pollachi promoting the event.

Hindus of the locality submitted a memorandum demanding to stop the office opening

On July 15, members of the Suleeswaranpatti Residential Association met with the Coimbatore District Collector to submit a memorandum demanding the halt of the inauguration of the Tamil Nadu Jammaithul Ulema office in their locality. The memorandum alleges that the Muslim individuals who purchased land at Akshaya Garden were aware of the predominantly Hindu demographic in the area and intended to establish the office under the guise of the Jammaithul Ulema.

The petitioners expressed concerns that the office might eventually be converted into a mosque and later into a madarasa. They urged the District Collector to intervene immediately to prevent the office’s inauguration, scheduled for July 24.

Hindu Munnani has also supported the residents’ concerns, sharing a social media post calling for the permanent closure of the Jammaithul Ulema office. They have criticised the construction as illegal and reiterated the demand for its cessation.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1671387186972028&set=a.1023059831804770

Recent trends have raised alarm among some residents as Muslim groups are reportedly purchasing land in predominantly Hindu localities to construct mosques and madarasas. Critics claim that these constructions are part of a larger strategy to create a perception of communal harmony, only to consolidate their presence and influence over time.

A notable aspect of this trend involves inviting local Hindus to mosque inaugurations and publicising these events through mainstream and social media. Critics argue that this practice aims to create a façade of Hindu-Muslim unity, misleading Hindus into believing in an idealised communal relationship. They assert that once the mosques are established, the Muslim community will consolidate their position and assert their identity more strongly.

Recent controversies have highlighted these tensions. For instance, in Chennai’s Koyambedu, despite orders from the Supreme Court and High Court to demolish an illegal mosque, the structure remains standing. In Coimbatore, another mosque facing similar issues has also been left untouched. Critics claim that Muslim groups demonstrated their influence by mobilising large crowds, and political figures, including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, reportedly assured that these mosques would not be demolished, reflecting a pattern of political appeasement.

This issue has sparked a debate about the broader implications of such practices, with some arguing that Hindus are only now beginning to recognise the strategic motives behind these land acquisitions and constructions. They contend that there is a gradual erosion of Hindu rights in Tamil Nadu, similar to trends observed in West Bengal and Kerala, where minority communities have been perceived to gain increasing influence.