Demolish ‘illegal’ masjid on residential site in Belagavi, demand Hindu groups

BELAGAVI: Hindu groups and BJP leaders have raised objection to an ‘illegal’ masjid which has come up on a residential site at Sarathi Nagar here and demanded that it should be demolished.

Former BJP legislator Sanjay Patil alleged that they have made several representations to the district deputy commissioner and the corporation commissioner and even provided documents.

Former BJP legislator Sanjay Patil said they will meet the deputy commissioner regarding the issue.

“For the last one year, they have been saying that they will demolish it, but nothing has been done. We are not against any individual or community. We are only asking that the illegal structure should be demolished. Some youth roam around on vehicles without registration plates talk in vulgar language to women. They even threaten people saying that they will go after the children when they are alone at home. People are losing patience. We demand that the district administration should take action within in a week, otherwise we will launch a protest”, he warned

“From January 11 last year, we have taken up this legal fight. When we approached the police, they directed us to the city corporation. They have fabricated all the documents. We have met the corporation commissioner 18 times, but no action has been taken. Perhaps, there is some sort of pressure on the officer, or he is anti-Hindu. There are 508 houses belonging to Hindus and 11-15 belonging to Muslims in the locality”, said an office-bearer of the transporters’ housing co-operative society .

Police personnel have been deployed near the ‘illegal’ masjid.

“The housing cooperative society allotted the site to one Danwade who then sold it to one Kamdod. The latter, in turn, gifted it to Abdul Kalam Azad Educational and Charitable Society. Now, it has been transferred to the Wakf Board. This is illegal as a residential site allotted from a housing co-operative society cannot be used for any other purpose other than residential. If it is used for any other purpose, the government can reclaim the land as per the society bylaws”, said Uma, an office-bearer of the society .

Reacting to the development, Deputy Commissioner Nitesh Patil said, “Some organisations have given a written complaint. I will discuss the issue with the corporation commissioner. We will conduct an inquiry and only then take the next step”, he added.