Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP/DV)
Mangaluru, Nov 9: The third additional civil court which received the petition from Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) dismissed the petition submitted by the mosque administration. The court said that the case can be tried in the civil court. The next hearing will be held on January 8, 2023.
The VHP had submitted a petition demanding a survey of the mosque on the lines of Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi. The mosque administration had requested to vacate the stay on mosque construction work and to dismiss the petition of the VHP.
However, the court dismissed the petition by the mosque administration. The hearing will be held under Gyanvapi model.
It may be recalled, remnants of a structure resembling temple were unearthed at the Malali Market Mosque, falling under Ganjimath gram panchayat limits in April earlier this year.
Strict police security is arranged in the mosque premises. The information was provided by police commissioner N Shashi Kumar. The KSRC and CAR battalions are at the spot.
Meanwhile, VHP leader Sharan Pumpwell said that he welcomes the court’s order.
Addressing media, he said, “We will welcome the decision of the court. It is a victory for the Hindu belief. The VHP will produce all documents before the court to prove that a Hindu temple used to exist at the spot where the Malali mosque stands now. We will also request the mosque committee to hand over the structure to Hindus. Let the matter settle peacefully. If not, we will continue the legal battle. Even 'Tambula Prashne' proved that there was a temple there. In the coming days, we will arrange 'Ashtamangala Prashne'.
He also said that the deputy commissioner should get a survey done over the structure through the Archaeological Survey of India.
The VHP members celebrated the court’s verdict by bursting crackers.