Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Oct 9: State Haj, Wakf and department of minorities minister, Dr Mumtaz Ali Khan, said that efforts to arrive at an amicable settlement out the court, as suggested by the Supreme Court, are being made in respect of the Hubli Idgah Maidan controversy. He felt, that entering into an understanding would be in the best interests of both the parties, i.e., Anjuman-E-Islam and a group of Hubli residents, who are entangled in a legal battle, as the verdict, once pronounced by the Supreme Court, will surely disappoint one of the sides.

Speaking to reporters in the city, he felt that Anjuman-E-Islam needs to soften its stand. He noted that the said Maidan was granted to the Anjuman by Hubli-Dharwad City Corporation on lease, and that the City Corporation reserves the right to cancel this lease. "The organization should preserve its right to offer namaaz at the ground twice a year and allow it to be used for public purposes during the other times. The organization has been appraised of the desirability of making this concession, but it is not willing to backtrack from its firm stand that the Maidan should be made available for its exclusive use," he explained.

Ali informed that he had written a letter to the union external affairs minister S M Krishna, drawing his attention to the fact that the special Haj quota had been misused during the tenure of the earlier minister of state in this ministry, E Ahamed. The minister said that Krishna has ordered an inquiry into the allegation. Dr Mutaz Ali Khan felt that this special quota system should be done away with, and the quota should be kept open for the citizens of the entire country.