Karnataka allowed Ganesh Chaturthi Idgah Maidan in Bengaluru judges dissent on interim orders

Controversy has erupted over Karnataka government's approval for Ganesh festival at 'Idgah Maidan'. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Karnataka government, told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the state government has allowed two days - Wednesday and Thursday - to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at the Bengaluru Idgah ground. The top court was hearing a petition against the order of the Karnataka High Court.

In fact, recently the Karnataka High Court had asked the state government to consider allowing the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi at the Idgah ground in Chamarajpet, Bengaluru. After this, the state government approved the Ganesh festival at the Idgah ground. The Karnataka Waqf Board approached the Supreme Court against this approval.

However, when the matter reached the Supreme Court, both the judges disagreed with each other on the interim order. After which the matter was sent to the CJI to form a bench of 3 judges for hearing. Later CJI UU Lalit referred the matter for hearing before a three-judge bench of Justices Indira Banerjee, AS Oka and MM Sundaresh. This bench will now hear the petition challenging the permission of Ganesh Chaturthi at Idgah ground at 4:45 pm today.

Earlier, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the body, submitted before the court that the state's decision would create "religious tension" as Muslims have been performing their rituals there for the last six decades. If the matter is not heard on Tuesday, unnecessary tension will arise, he said.

On August 25, a single bench of the Karnataka High Court had held that the land can only be used as a playground and for celebrating Independence Day and Republic Day by the government or BBMP. It said that the Muslim community can offer Namaz on both Eids. A day later, however, another division bench modified the order on appeal and allowed the government to decide on the land.

A division bench of the Karnataka High Court on Friday amended an interim order of a single judge in the Chamarajpet Idgah sports ground dispute and said the government may allow religious and cultural activities there for a limited period from August 31. After which the state government gave permission to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.