In a significant development, the Union government has appealed to the High Court to direct the Mandya deputy commissioner and the state government to vacate the madrasa operating within the premises of the historic Jumma Masjid in Srirangapatna. This request follows a public interest litigation filed by Abhishek Gowda, a resident of Kabbalu in Kanakapur Taluk, who raised concerns over the alleged illegal activities at the madrasa inside the mosque.
Union Government’s Argument
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamat, representing the Union government, argued that the Jumma Masjid, which has been a protected monument since 1951, is being misused for madrasa activities, which are not by the prescribed legal framework for such properties. He claimed that these activities have been ongoing for several years without proper authorisation, and despite multiple complaints, the local authorities have taken no corrective action.
Kamat emphasised that while law and order concerns have been cited as a reason for inaction, the deputy commissioner must be instructed to vacate the madrasa to prevent further illegal use of the property. “The Jumma Masjid has been declared a protected monument, and yet, illegal madrasa activities continue within its premises. The authorities must intervene and ensure the space is returned to its rightful purpose,” Kamat told the bench.
State Government and Waqf Board’s Counterarguments
However, the plea put forward by the Union government faced strong opposition from the state government’s legal representatives and the Waqf Board. The defence argued that the mosque had been notified as a Waqf property in 1963 under the Waqf Board Act and that the madrasa’s existence is within the scope of activities allowed on Waqf land. Furthermore, the advocates pointed out that the mosque was historically designated by Tipu Sultan as a Shaheed Waqf, providing a legal basis for educational and religious activities.
These arguments were presented to counter the Union government’s claims, with the defence asserting that the madrasa’s operations align with the intended purpose of the Waqf property, which allows for educational and religious functions.
Petitioner’s Plea
Abhishek Gowda, the petitioner, raised concerns about the illegal operation of the madrasa within the mosque. He alleged that repeated complaints made to the relevant authorities have not resulted in any action to stop the activities. As a result, Gowda has sought the High Court’s intervention to direct the district collector and the state government to evict the madrasa from the mosque premises, ensuring that the property is used according to its original designation.
The petitioner argued that the madrasa’s continued operation violates the law and that the local authorities have failed to take appropriate steps to address the issue despite the ongoing illegal activities. Therefore, he requested the court to issue a directive to the government for the immediate eviction of the madrasa.
Court’s Decision
After hearing the arguments from both sides, the division bench comprising Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind decided to fix the next hearing for November 20, during which further deliberations will occur. The bench expressed its intention to thoroughly review the arguments the Union government and the state authorities presented before issuing any directions.
The case surrounding the illegal madrasa operating in the Jumma Masjid is an ongoing legal battle that involves complex issues of property rights, historical significance, and the appropriate use of religious spaces. As the matter progresses, it is likely to have far-reaching implications for how such properties are managed and used across the state. Both the Union government and the state authorities will need to come to a resolution that balances legal, cultural, and educational concerns in a way that respects the sanctity of protected monuments while also addressing the needs of local communities.
1935 document says Anjaneya temple converted mosque
The 1935 report by the Mysore Archaeological Department draws attention to historical claims regarding the construction of the Jamia Masjid in Srirangapatna. According to the findings, cruel King Tipu Sultan allegedly demolished the Anjaneya temple and erected the mosque on its site after filling the temple’s ground floor with earth.
The report highlights that during his rule over Mysore and Srirangapatna, Tipu Sultan reportedly destroyed several temples to make way for mosques. It is noted that the Jumma Masjid was constructed by Tipu Sultan atop the Anjaneya Mandir, with the temple’s ground floor filled in during the process.
Further strengthening this narrative, an ASI letter published in 2004, which references the 1935 Mysore Archaeological Department report, asserts that the madrasa operating within the Jumma Masjid premises is doing so illegally. The letter, obtained by Republic TV, indicates that the Waqf Board has been running the madrasa unlawfully within the mosque since 1979.
This revelation comes just days after a rally organised by VHP and Bajrang Dal members on June 4, 2022, who participated in the ‘Srirangapatna Chalo’ event and called for Hindu religious rituals to be conducted inside the Jumma Masjid. These Hindu groups have long claimed that the mosque was constructed in 1782 by Tipu Sultan after he demolished a Hanuman temple.
On May 16, 2022, Hindu organisations submitted a petition to district authorities saying the Jumma Masjid was originally an Anjaneya temple and requested permission to worship the Anjaneya idol within the mosque. Additionally, they demanded an investigation by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) into the matter, along with permission to bathe in a pond on the mosque’s premises.
The Hindu Janjagruti Samiti has also called for a survey of Tipu Sultan’s palace in Bengaluru, alleging that it was built on land encroached from a temple. Mohan Gowda, the organisation’s spokesperson, remarked that the area behind Tipu Sultan’s summer palace was once the Kote Venkataramana Temple, which the Sultan allegedly seized. He suggested that a survey should be conducted to verify this claim.
Additionally,’Narendra Modi Vichar Manch’ (NMVM) petitioned the Mandya district deputy commissioner, asserting that the Masjid-e-Ala in Srirangapatna was originally the Moodala Bagilu Anjaneya Swami temple. The group requested permission to offer prayers to Hanuman within the mosque.
The VHP has also raised concerns about a dargah in Basavakalyan, located in Bidar district, Karnataka. The organization claims that the site was once a Basavanna temple, and members have urged the government to intervene, citing evidence that the dargah was originally a Hindu place of worship.
