Karnataka: Permission Granted for Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations at Idgah Maidan

Hubbali civic authorities have allowed Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at the Idgah Maidan in Karnataka’s Hubballi district. Dharwad-Hubballi City Corporation Commissioner, Ishwar Ullagaddi handed over the permission letter that allowed the three-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival to be conducted at the Idgah maidan. Earlier, the BJP and Hindutva organizations had staged a protest led by saffron party MLAs Arvind Bellad and Mahesh Tenginakayi seeking permission. The protesters resorted to a road blockade condemning the civic body for not handing over the permission letter even after the High Court judgment. Police Commissioner Uma Sukumaran and additional police force rushed to the spot and cleared the roadblock after pacifying the protesters. Earlier on Friday, the Dharwad bench of the Karnataka High Court on Friday quashed a petition opposing the installation of Ganesh's idol and celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi in the Idgah Maidan premises. The petition was submitted by the Anjuman-E-Islam organization opposing the decision of the Hubballi-Dharwad City Corporation to permit the celebration of the Ganesh festival on the controversial site. The approval was given in the general body meeting held last month and later the civic body refused to give permission. The Idgah dispute in Hubballi began in 1971 when the Anjuman-e-Islam tried to construct a shopping complex at the site and erected a building allegedly violating the lease agreement of 1921.