The Centre requested the High Court to order the Karnataka government to vacate a madrasa operating within the Jama Masjid in Srirangapatna. K. Arvind Kamath, representing the Central government, argued that although the Jama Masjid has been protected since 1951, it continues to host unauthorized madrasa activities. Kamath emphasized that these activities are not permitted under the current regulations.
Bengaluru: The Central government asked the Karnataka High Court to instruct the Mandya district administration and the state government to remove a madrasa operating within the historic Jama Masjid in Srirangapatna.
The Waqf Board, opposing this request, asserts that the mosque is its property and has defended its right to carry out madrasa activities at that location.
The issue was presented to a division bench led by Chief Justice N V Anjaria, following a public interest litigation filed by Abhishek Gowda from Kabbalu village in Kanakapura taluk.
The petition claims that there are “unauthorised madrasa activities” taking place within the mosque.
K Arvind Kamath, the Additional Solicitor General representing the Central government, argued that the Jama Masjid has been classified as a protected monument since 1951, yet unauthorized madrasa operations persist.
Kamath highlighted that fears of potential law and order issues have hindered any intervention thus far and urged the court to order the Mandya district administration to take action and vacate the madrasa from the mosque.
In response, attorneys for the state government and the Waqf Board countered that the Waqf Board has been recognized as the property owner since 1963, making the madrasa activities lawful.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the bench adjourned the case for further discussions, scheduling the next hearing for November 20.
The court’s forthcoming decision will be pivotal in determining the future of the madrasa’s operations within the mosque premises.
This legal case raises broader questions about the balance between preserving religious and historical sites and the need for educational and religious institutions to operate within such spaces. The Karnataka High Court’s decision on whether the madrasa should be vacated will set an important precedent for similar cases in the future, especially in the context of religious sites with historical protection.
The court’s verdict is awaited with significant interest as it may impact how religious, educational, and cultural institutions interact with protected monuments across the country.