Chitradurga: A simmering communal dispute has erupted in Sadhik Nagar, Chitradurga, after allegations surfaced that municipal officials unlawfully permitted the construction of a mosque in a largely Hindu neighborhood. The issue, which has snowballed into a full-fledged legal and political controversy, has drawn sharp reactions from both Hindu and Muslim community leaders and prompted the intervention of district authorities.
The controversy stems from a plot in Sadhik Nagar where Muslim leaders reportedly began construction work for a mosque without following due legal procedure. The area, developed in 2003 under a district administration initiative led by then Deputy Commissioner MA Sadhik, originally provided 200 houses to poor laborers. Over time, more than 100 Hindu families settled there, and the locality came to include three established temples that serve as centers of worship for the community.
According to residents, only 10 to 15 Muslim households currently live in the area. Despite the presence of two functioning mosques nearby—one in Saraswathipuram and another at Suryaputra Circle—local Islamic leaders purchased a private plot in Sadhik Nagar with the intention of building another mosque. Hindu residents objected, claiming that this move was unnecessary and intended to alter the demographic and religious balance of the neighborhood.
District in-charge Minister Sudhakar, who was briefed on the escalating situation, alleged that municipal officials from the Chitradurga Urban Development Authority (CUDA) and members of the Municipal Council colluded to issue construction permissions without following mandatory public procedures. He condemned the move as a “blatant violation of urban building regulations” and demanded that all construction activity be stopped immediately pending a thorough investigation.
“This is not about religion, but about legality and transparency,” the minister said. “No new religious structure—be it a temple, mosque, or church—can be built without proper approval and public consultation. Any deviation from this process undermines law and order.”
Municipal Commissioner Lakshmi later confirmed that a permit had indeed been issued by the Municipal Council for the construction of the mosque. However, she admitted that the process bypassed a critical public notice stage, which is legally required before granting approval for any religious structure. “The irregularities came to light during a review of the construction file. Upon discovering the violations, we immediately halted the ongoing work,” the commissioner stated.
The revelation has inflamed tensions further, with Hindu residents accusing officials of deliberate misconduct and bias. Protestors gathered near the municipal office, demanding disciplinary action against the officers involved and calling for the cancellation of the building permit. They also urged the district administration to ensure that no illegal construction resumes under political pressure.
Meanwhile, leaders from the Muslim community have defended their plan, arguing that they purchased the land lawfully and intended to build a place of worship for their small community without disrupting peace. They claim that the issue has been politicized by fringe elements seeking to create communal rifts ahead of upcoming local elections.
The district police have stepped up surveillance in Sadhik Nagar to prevent any untoward incidents, and the administration has appealed for calm. Legal notices have been served to both parties, and the matter is likely to be brought before a local court to determine the validity of the construction permit and the municipal procedures followed.
