Hindu seer calls for shutting down mosque claiming its a temple

After getting released on bail late on Wednesday night, Rishikumar Swami of Kali Mutt again kicked up a controversy saying that the mosque of Srirangapatna town in Mandya must be closed until it is decided whether it is a mosque or temple. The Hindu seer had gotten arrested earlier for giving a call to demolish the mosque.

"I had visited Srirangapatna city many a times but had never near the mosque. But one day when I stopped, I noticed the pillars. Even a Hindu child will get provoked after seeing the pillars, platforms for Nag devtas. I am a sage. I was pained to see the condition of my temple. I have full faith in the judiciary. It's because of the judiciary that a Ram Mandir is being built in Ayodhya."

"For establishing the truth in case of Babri Masjid, the authorities had to dig beneath the mosque. But, in this case, the authorities just need documents of the mosque. I request them to lock the mosque before next Hanuman Jayanthi. The speakers have to be vacated until then," he stated.

Swami further asserted that an affidavit has already been filed in the local court to decide whether the structure is a mosque or temple. Action must be taken before any tragedy occurs, and the mosque must be closed until the judgement comes, he said.

The saffron party is likely to take up the issue as it tries hard to establish itself in south Karnataka. Srirangapatna is considered the heartland of the dominant Vokkaliga community and the bastion of JD(S). The BJP hopes to take up the issue to establish roots and reap electoral success, sources said.