Chamarajpet Idgah Maidan row: HC grants permission to celebrate Ganesh Chathurthi celebrations

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Friday, August 26, granted permission to the state government to organize the Ganesha Chathurthi celebrations in the Chamarajpete Idgah Maidan.

The decision comes after the state government appealed against the interim order of the HC that was pronounced on Thursday, August 25.

The order read, “Indian society comprises religious, linguistic, regional, or sectional diversities. The Constitution itself fosters brotherhood amongst various sections of society. The principle of religious toleration is a characteristic of Indian civilization. We, therefore, at this stage, on the peculiar facts of the case, modify the interim order and permit the state government to consider and pass appropriate orders on applications seeking the use of the land in question for holding religious and cultural activities for a limited period from August 31 onwards”.

However, the Court made it clear that observations made in Friday’s order are only for the purpose of considering the prayer for interim relief and shall have no bearing on the merits of the matter either in this appeal or in the writ petition pending before the bench.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has welcomed the orders and has said that an appropriate decision would be taken tomorrow (Saturday, August 27) in consultation with the Advocate General of Karnataka and the state revenue minister.

Earlier on Thursday, August 25, the Court had issued an interim order to maintain the status quo on the Chamarajpet Idgah Maidan.