New Delhi, Aug 30 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday told the Karnataka government to remain at as it is for a few days, and added that Ganesh Chaturthi puja could be held in a different location instead of Idgah Maidan in Bengaluru’s Chamarajpet.A bench led by Indira Banerjee asked the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represents the Karnataka government, to keep the status in place for a few more days.
“You must perform the puja elsewhere.Return to the high court,”” stated the bench which also included justices A.S.Oka and M.M.Sundresh.
The bench noted that in the meantime the two sides as of today are in a state of limbo and have disposed of the petitions made by the Central Muslim Association of Karnataka and Karnataka State Board of AUQAF against the Karnataka government.
The petitioners had filed a petition with to the Supreme Court challenging the Karnataka High Court decision which permitted Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations to take place at Idgah Maidan in Bengaluru’s Chamarajpet.
The case was referred to three judges following a “difference of opinion” between the two judges, justices Shemant Gupta and Sudhanshu Dhulia.
Senior advocate Dushyant Dave, representing one of the petitioners, said that the state government is seeking to alter the status the status quo.
Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, who also appeared on behalf of the petitioner, said that it is an Idgah area and shouldn’t be used for other religious festivals.
During the hearing the bench observed that for the past 200 years, there was no religious practice was carried out on the property in the dispute and, therefore, why not the status of the matter?
“For 200 years the court said that whatever was not held should be left,” said the bench.
The Supreme Court was informed “the Karnataka government has allowed Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Idgah Maidan in Bengaluru for tomorrow and the day following”.
In the last week the high court granted permission to host Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at Idgah Maidan in Bengaluru’s Chamarajpet.
The court of appeals had ruled that the government could make an appeal to allow the festival to be held on the ground.
The court issued the order following an appeal filed by the state government to contest the interim order on August 25 to preserve the status in the status quo.
The court rescinded the interim order, and allowed the state administration to review and issue appropriate orders regarding applications for use of the area in the dispute for cultural and religious events for a specific time period beginning August 31st to.
ss/pgh
