Poojary wants Idgah maidan to be handed over to muslims

Mangalore, Apr 5 (UNI) Senior Congress Leader and Rajya Sabha Member B Janardhan Poojary today urged the JD (S)-BJP coalition government in Karnataka to file an appeal before the Supreme Court seeking handing over of the controversial Idga Maidan to muslims which had been given to them on a lease for 999 years by the Britishers in 1925.

Addressing newsperons here, he pointed out that muslims had been conducting prayers on the ground for the last 300 years and warned that if the government went ahead with its plan of setting up a garden in the disputed area, it would lead to dire consequences.

Condemning the recent communal riots in Bhatkal in which one person was killed, Mr Poojary alleged that without proper evidence, the entire blame had been put on the local muslims and demanded that the government take any decision on the issue only after the real culprits were brought to the book.

He charged that the BJP and Sangh Parivar with creating confusion in the society by sensationalising issues.

Stating that the annual Urs would not be held at Bababudangiri this year, he wondered why former Prime Minister and JD (S) President H D Deve Gowda was maintaining silence over the issue.

UNI MA RG TS1911