Jamia masjid row: Security beefed up after Hindu activists insist to perform ‘puja’ at mosque on June 4

 

Security has been beefed up in and around the Srirangapatna’s Jamia masjid after Hindu activists said that they will enter and perform a puja here on June 4.

Sources said that authorities are likely to impose prohibitory orders from June 3 – 4.

Citing that the Jamia masjid was built after razing a Hanuman temple, Hindu organisations petitioned for a survey of the premises like the one being conducted at Gyanvapi mosque. Their claims are based on the quote by B. Lewis Rice, a British historian, archaeologist and educationist, who in his report to the Archaeological Survey of India in 1935, had mentioned a Hanuman temple on Page number 61.

Since the district authorities have not responded to their request Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal leaders plan to go ahead with the ‘Srirangapatna Chalo’ movement.

Sources said that the authorities are waiting for instructions from the government as to how to handle the devotees who may try to enter the masjid and perform ‘puja’ there.

Meanwhile, the mosque authorities have already expressed apprehension and made appeals to the government to protect it.

Built by Tipu Sultan in 1786-87, Jamia mosque is also called as Masjid-i-Ala and is located inside the Srirangapatna fort. The mosque has three inscriptions that mention nine names of Prophet Mohammad.

 

 

With IANS inputs