- Tuesday, March 11, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday (30) ordered status quo on the Idgah Maidan in the southern city of Bengaluru, also called the country’s information technology capital, which means no Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations would be held there on Wednesday (31).
The top court said the issue raised in the plea may be taken up in the high court and sought status quo over the land in question, meaning it cannot be used for festival purposes.
“The issues raised in the Special Leave Petition may be agitated by both parties before the high court. In the meanwhile, the status quo as of today will be maintained by both sides,” the Supreme Court said in its order.
A three-judge bench of the apex court was hearing a plea made by the Karnataka Waqf Board challenging the Karnataka High Court’s order that allowed the use of Idgah Maidan for the Hindu festival.
“You can hold the Pooja somewhere else. Interim status quo (will remain) for two days and go back to High Court,” the top court said.
“No religious function has been held by any other community on this ground. In 1977, a suit for permanent injunction was filed, which was decided in our favour. It’s also registered under Waqf Act,” Kapil Sibal, who represented the board, told the bench.
