DHARWAD: The Dharwad bench of Karnatak High Court on Friday dismissed petitions seeking halt to installation of Ganesh idol at Idgah Maidan in Hubballi.
Anjuman-E-Islam, Hubballi had filed a petition in the HC seeking a stay on the HDMC general body’s resolution allowing installation of Ganesh idol at Idgah Maidan.
Meanwhile, leader of the Opposition in the HDMC Suvarna Manikuntla had also moved the court against passing of three subjects including the Ganesh idol installation at Idgah Maidan in the additional subject list in the recently held HDMC general body meeting, charging that the additional list was introduced without bringing it to the notice of the Opposition members.
The single judge bench comprising Justice Sachinkumar Magadum heard the case and dismissed them. Advocate General Prabhuling Navadagi and Shivaraj Bellakki represented the HDMC and the Mayor while advocate Sadiq Goodwala represented the Anjuman-E-Islam.
Hubballi-Dharwad West MLA Arvind Bellad has sat on a day and night sit-in dharna protesting the delay by the HDMC Commissioner to issue permission for installation of Ganesh idol at Idgah Maidan. He had charged that the Commissioner was delaying the action due to pressure from Congress government. Friday’s verdict by the HC has cleared the path for HDMC Commissioner to accord permission for the installation of Ganesh Idols at Idgah Maidan. Four organisations have applied for permission.
Former Mayor Iresh Anchatgeri said the Court’s verdict should put an end to the controversy and the HDMC Commissioner should immediately implement the resolution passed by the HDMC general body allowing installation of Ganesh idol at Idgah Maidan.
Following the Supreme Court’s decree that Idgah Maidan is HDMC’s property and apart from Muslims to perform Namaz on two occasions in a year, the Maidan could be used for any other legitimate purpose, the HDMC had allowed installation of Ganesh idol in the Maidan last year.
