Mangalore: Locals object to mosque activities in Madrasa at Ullal

Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (EP)

Mangalore, Nov 8: A Madrasa committee has bought a site meant for Ashraya project and is unofficially conducting Masjid (mosque) activities, alleged Subhashnagar Nagarika Hitarakshana Samiti here.  They held a protest against Munnur panchayat on Thursday, November 7, for having given permission for such activities.

The site at survey No 27 P within the Munnur gram panchayat area distributed for Ashraya project was bought by Anjumal Falad Madrasa committee and had obtained permission to build a Madrasa.  It is now alleged that they pray over loudspeaker from time to time.  The site is meant for Ashraya project and is a residential zone.  The Madrasa has been reportedly constructed without land conversion and a first floor also is being built. The protesters said that the activities are disturbing them and demanded that the permission be limited. They urged that permission given for any other activities in it be cancelled.

Jitendra Kottari of Vishwa Hindu Parishat alleged that an 'atmosphere of unrest is being created in Subhashnagar, which is known for peaceful coexistence'. "The place that was meant for residential purpose was bought for Madrasa in 1998 and violated the stipulations laid down in the ownership records.  The residents are being disturbed as loudspeakers are being used after the Madrasa timings.  It is unfortunate that the assistant commissioner has support it. Religious misconceptions are being created in a place where people from different religions should live.  Munnur panchayat which has given permission for Madrasa, should put a stay on the unofficial activities of Madrasa within the next three days," he said.

Court case: The local people had filed a case in the district court objecting to the location of Madrasa which is in existence for the last fifteen years.  The court in its judgement on April 4, 2003, handed over the matter to the panchayat.  The people filed a case in the high court on January 18, 2012 and investigation is in progress.  Jagadish Shenava, district president of Vishwa Hindu Parishat warned that if the panchayat does not act in the matter, bhajana programmes will be held in a site next to the Madrasa twenty-four hours.

Bajrang Dal local convener Sharan Pumpwell, district convener Bhujanga Kulal, co convener Pravin Kuthar, VHP Ullal secretary Narayana Kumpala, Pradeep Pumpwell, locals Vishwanath Nayak, Subhash Anchan, Madhava Kulal, Ravi Asaigoli and others were present.

The panchayat has said that the approval was given taking all the panchayat members into confidence.  If the Madrasa has violated the conditions outlined in the letter of permission, disciplinary action will be taken against them after serving notice.  As the matter is in the high court, the verdict of the high court will be final, said Abdul Rehman, president of Munnur gram panchayat.