Locals oppose DC’s order to reopen madrasa in Mysuru

Mysuru: A forum of residents from Kyathamaranahalli has opposed the order passed by the Mysuru DC on Wednesday for the reopening of a madrasa in their locality in Mysuru city. The madrasa was closed by the police in 2016 following communal clashes that were a result of the murder of a Hindu activist.

Members of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike (HJV) and residents of the surrounding localities, including Rangaswamy, Rajan, Anand, and Lokesh, have issued a press release opposing the decision of Deputy Commissioner G Lakshmikant Reddy regarding the decade-old issue.

Petition

The DC submitted the action taken report before the court in Bengaluru on Thursday. The court had issued the direction to the DC following a writ petition by the Arabic madrasa authorities for its reopening in 2019.

The DC has ordered the opening of the lock of the building to operate the Arabic school by Aleema Sadiya Education and Masjid-E-Siddique-E-Akbar Trust on Site No ½ and 1/3, on 6th Cross of Udayagiri (Gayathripuram 2nd Stage - Kyathamaranahalli) under the Fundamental Rights enshrined in Article 30(1) of the Constitution.

The Article states that all minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. He has also ordered protection for the school on the property of the trust, under Article 30(1) of the Constitution.

Additionally, the DC has directed the Mysuru City Police Commissioner to provide adequate security to operate the school and to take action against those who interfere with its functioning.

Disturbance

Aleema Sadiya Trust had been constructing a building on the said site for the madrasa since 2008. In 2009, some miscreants threw a pig's head onto its premises, causing a communal disturbance that forced the project to be halted. The then Police Commissioner, Sunil Agarwal, called a peace committee meeting in 2010 to permit the trust to continue the project with certain guidelines. However, for various reasons, the committee could not meet, and the issue remained pending until 2013.

In 2013, a meeting was held, and the differences were resolved. Construction continued, and the madrasa was opened. It operated until March 13, 2016, when Raju, a Hindu activist, was murdered in Udayagiri, leading to communal clashes. A few miscreants pelted stones at the madrasa, damaging the window panes.

Court direction

On March 14, 2016, the police took the key to the building to inspect the damages. After that, they took the building into custody. Following several meetings with the DC and Police Commissioner, the madrasa authorities filed a writ petition before the High Court. The court ordered the DC to resolve the issue within 12 weeks on January 9, 2023.

Rangaswamy, district coordinator of HJV, stated that since 2009, there have been several communal clashes in connection with the disputed madrasa, resulting in loss of life and injury to individuals.

“The locals fear that the opening of the madrasa will lead to disturbances of peace, as it is a sensitive area. Already, the trustees of Huliyamma Temple have objected to the opening of the madrasa. We urge the DC to withdraw his order. Otherwise, we will have to stage protests,” he warned.