Mandya: Mandya Police on Thursday decided to impose Section 144 ahead of "Srirangapatna Chalo" organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad against the disputed Jamia Masjid in Mandya district on June 4.
The restrictions under Section 144 of the CRPC will be effective from 3 pm on June 3 to 12 noon on June 5.
Reacting to the restrictions, the VHP flayed the state government for imposing Section 144 on the march instead of clearing the madrasas being run inside the masjid complex which it claims was a Hanuman temple that was demolished by erstwhile Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan.
"We have submitted several memorandums in the past to the district administration seeking removal of madrasas where the children are imparted jihadi teachings in the previously existing Hanuman temple at the present court complex. A mosque has been built on the site where Hanuman temple existed," VHP said.
They also said even the district administration admits that the existing Jamia Masjid is existing at erstwhile temple as the Section 144 order also clearly mentions the same.
"If the passive district administration or the government does not clear the madrasa in the ertswhile temple complex, we will take legal course," VHP said.
On May 20, the VHP and Bajrang Dal had submitted a memorandum to Mandya Deputy Commissioner demanding an ASI survey on the lines of Gyanvapi masjid to ascertain the truth.
Both the outfits had announced a protest march from Kuvempu Circle in Mandya to the disputed mosque.
Nearly a week ago, the VHP had requested in writing to police and DC to immediately vacate people staying in the mosque. They alleged that some of the followers were desecrating the inscriptions on the disputed temple site.
Meanwhile, the Superintendent Archeologist has shot off a letter to the ASI Director requesting videography of the east entrance in Mandya's mosque complex.
This letter comes in the wake of a similar letter submitted by Mandya Deputy Commissioner and VHP President Dr V Bhanuprasad Sharma to the Archeological Survey of India.
Referring to Mandya DC's letter, the Superintendent Archeologist observed that the east entrance of Anjaneyaswamy temple (Jamia Masjid) is under the occupation of Jamia Masjid which is being used for running a madrasa, offering prayers, staying and cooking purposes.
The DC has asked the masjid authorities to stop the madrasa, prayers and conduct excavation, research and videography in the area.
Earlier Hindu organisations had claimed that the present Jamia Masjid in Mandya was an erstwhile Anjaneya temple. They also had submitted a memorandum to the DC seeking permission to worship Anjaneya idol in the mosque complex.
The Hindu organisations also contended that they have historical proof to establish their claims of a temple in existence before the masjid was constructed. They claimed that the erstwhile temple was demolished and a masjid constructed on it.
The Hindu organisations also demanded an archeological survey, while seeking permission to take bath in a pond inside the mosque.
A chain of mandir-masjid row has emerged following the Gyanvapi mosque issue where Hindu outfits are claiming that a Shiva temple existed inside the masjid complex. They also are seeking permission to worship there.
An archeological survey was carried out after which claims were made about a 'Shivling' being found inside it. (UNI)
