Karnataka High Court Issues Notice On PIL Claiming Remains Of Temple Under Jamia Masjid At Srirangapatna

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State Government and other respondents on a public interest litigation claiming that the present structure of Jamia Masjid, situated at Srirangapatna was constructed by Tipu Sultan on the site of Moodala Bagilu Anjaneya Swamy Temple.

A division bench of Chief Justice N V Anjaria and Justice K V Arvind orally remarked that the structure in question is a protected monument hence changing it in writ jurisdiction "will be very difficult.” Nonetheless, it issued notice to all the respondents, returnable on July 11.

The PIL is filed by an organisation Bajranaga Sene which has sought directions to the ASI to conduct Archaeological study, survey and excavation of disputed Moodala Bagilu Anjaneya Swamy Temple, as per provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 and submit a status report.

It is stated that the said temple was partly demolished by Tipu Sultan illegally who then constructed disputed structure called Jamia Masjid of Srirangapatna during his autocratic rule from 1786 to 1789.

The petitioner claimed that every Indian citizen has the opportunity to practise his religion peacefully and submitted it is the constitutional duty of secular Government to rectify and correct the "historical blunders" committed by invaders.

It is claimed that petitioner has made necessary investigation and is in possession of historical facts of how Tipu Sultan intentionally with religious hatred forcefully damaged, altered and converted Lord Anjaneya Temple at Srirangapatna to an unlawful Islamic Jamia Masjid during the year 1786 to 1789.

In support of the claim the petitioner has relied on the Mysore state document of Archeological Survey of Mysore, in its annual report of 1912 in Volume IV and in Annual report from University of Mysore-Mysore Archeological Department for the year 1935.

Further it is said that the mosque houses an illegal Madrasa, which is against The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites And Remains Act, 1958, as amended up to date.

The plea prays for directions to the Respondents to collectively to take stock of present state, conserve and preserve "visible Hindu heritage and cultural identities" which are allegedly still available at the site, "such as Garuda kamba, Kalyani, Sthoopa, Sthamba, Stone carvings of Hindu Gods and Goddesses and underground temple areas, Temple Vaasthu Shilpa, Temple layout, Plan and excavation of buried Hidden Idols."

Plea also seeks to issue directions to alleged illegal occupants of Madarasa etc., to vacate the said disputed site and to secure the alleged historical temple site by taking 100% control in accordance with Law applicable to Heritage sites.

Case Title: Bajaranga Sene And Archaeological Survey Of India & Others

Case No: WP 23127/2022