VHP call to hold pooja at Srirangapatna mosque: section 144 imposed

Bengaluru: Following a call by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to hold a pooja at the Jamia Masjid, security has been increased in Srirangapatna, Karnataka which is also known as the erstwhile capital of the 18th century ruler Tipu Sultan. The VHP had called for a pooja in the mosque, claiming that the masjid has been built by demolition a Hanuman temple.

Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed on the premises surrounding the mosque to prevent any protests or processions. Apart from the district police force, a team of Karnataka State Reserve Police has also been deployed. Roads in the city are barricaded and security pickets have been erected.

Bajrang Dal and VHP activists chanted 'Jai Shriram' while riding motorcycles with a saffron scarf and saffron flag. Several shopkeepers around the shrine have lowered the shutters for days. Members of Hindu organizations have called for a protest march to the mosque. However, the authorities denied permission, according to the New Indian Express.

Araga Jnanendra, the State Home Minister has directed the police to ensure peace and public order in view of VHP's 'Srirangapatna Chalo' campaign.

However, Pramod Muthalik the Sriram Sena chief has raised protests over the restrictions saying they should be imposed on 'them'. "There is a Ganapati temple, a temple tank and a well inside the mosque. Despite all these, mosques running Madrassas and offering Namaz there is wrong. It is 'they' who should be stopped. They should be thrown out. I condemn the BJP government which is trying to stop our protest," Muthalik told reporters in Kalaburagi on Saturday.

The right-wing organisations have claimed that Tipu Sultan had destroyed an Anjaneya Temple to build a mosque over it which is currently the Jamia mosque. These organisations have approached the district authorities and submitted a memorandum demanding a survey of the mosque and action to return the 'Anjaneya Temple' to Hindus if their claim is found to be true.