Karnataka right-wing group seeks nod to offer prayers at Tipu era mosque

A right-wing group in Karnataka has sought permission from the Mandya district administration to allow Hindus to offer prayers at a mosque built during Tipu Sultan’s rule.

The outfit, known as Narendra Modi Vichar Manch, submitted a memorandum to the Mandya deputy commissioner (DC) seeking its nod to do pooja at Jama Masjid in Srirangapatna, about 125km from Bangalore.

According to reports, the group’s delegation met the DC on Sunday (May 15), and claimed that a Hanuman temple was demolished during Tipu’s regime and Jama Masjid (Masjid-i-Ala) was built there in Srirangapatna.

The Narendra Modi Vichara Manch’s general secretary Manjunath said, “In Srirangapatna, Moodlu Bagilu Hanuman temple was demolished, and over it, a Jama Masjid was built. There are Gopuras around it and even statues. They (district administration) should conduct a survey of this mosque the same way as it is happening in UP.”

Manjunath was referring to the ongoing survey of the Gyanvapi mosque located close to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. On Monday (May 16), a local court ordered the closure of the pond area, in which a Shivling was found at the Gyanvapi Masjid complex.

“The documentary evidence of Tipu writing to a ruler in Persia admitting that there was Hanuman temple and the mosque where Hindu inscriptions on its pillar and walls support our stand. We requested them to open the mosque’s doors to offer prayers,” he added, according to reports.

On Sunday, senior BJP leader and former Karnataka minister K S Eshwarappa said 36,000 temples were “demolished” by the Mughals and added that they will reclaim them legally. “We will reclaim all the temples in accordance with Supreme Court rule without creating any trouble,” he said.