Politics
Srirangapatna’s is becoming Gyanvapi of Karnataka
As the controversy surrounding the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi continues, Hindu activists in Karnataka are all set to take a legal recourse on surveying and inspecting the Jamia Masjid, located in the historical town of Srirangapatna in Mandya district.
Aswathi.S., District Commissioner (DC) of Mandya, has already received a petition by the activists to carry out an inspection to verify if the Jamia Masjid was built on the ruins of a Hanuman temple.
“The DC has informed us that she has already sent out a request to the government. If the government does not respond, we are ready to approach the court,” C.T. Manjunath, state secretary of the Narendra Modi Vichar Manch, told IANS, adding that legal action will be pursued in coordination with Hindu organizations.
Jamia Masjid, built by the erstwhile ruler of Mysuru Tipu Sultan, has come in the eye of the storm as Hindu organisations have announced the congregation of 6 lakh maladhaari devotees of Lord Hanuman in Srirangapatna during the upcoming Hanuman Jayanti, raising law and order concerns.
The organisations have also sought a nod from authorities to conduct prayers in the mosque.
The mosque authorities have already made several appeals to the authorities to protect the shrine from Hindu activists.
Jamia Masjid also called as Masjid-i-Ala, is located inside the Srirangapatna fort. Built in 1786-87, the mosque has three inscriptions that mentions nine names of the Prophet Muhammad.
The mosque has two minarets and is built over an elevated platform. There are galleried balconies that separate each stage of the minaret. The mosque is two-storied and unlike other mosques, it does not have a dome.
The Jamia Masjid is administered by the Bengaluru Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Meanwhile, C.T. Manjunath explains that they strongly believe with evidence that the Jamia Masjid was built after razing down a Hanuman temple.
“B. Lewis Rice, a British historian, archaeologist and educationist in his report to the ASI mentions about Hanuman temple on Page number 61 in 1935,” he told IANS.
“Apart from this, Malabar Manual, Mysore Gazetteer by Lewis Rice, Tareeq-e-Tipu, Haider-e-Nishani also give enough proof of razing down of temples by Tipu Sultan. The sword of Tipu Sultan has an inscription on it which reads that it will go against those who do not follow Islam.
“It is not intolerant to ask for our temple. There are 7 lakh active mosques in the country. If Hindus were to be intolerant, this would not have been possible. Even Muslim nations do not have such a great number of mosques,” he adds.
Manjunath says that there is a board put up by the ASI which bans any activity in the mosque, but Tablighis arrive here every year for training.
“The idol if Goddess Annapoorneshwari is not found now. The idols and footprints of Hindu idols, religious symbols are chiseled out. The issue has been raised already,” he explains.
Hindu activists maintain that there are emblems of the erstwhile Hoysala kingdom inside the mosque. There is ‘Kalyani’ (traditional Hindu water body built inside temple premises) inside the mosque. Every pillar also has the emblem of ‘Gandubherunda’ (two-headed bird in Hindu mythology) and ‘Simha’ (lion).
Hindu activists believe that Hanuman temples are built in eight directions of the historical Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Srirangapatna town. The Jamia Masjid was also one among them.
Nanje Gowda, a senior journalist working for a reputed Kannada daily, countered the view and told IANS: “The famous, most sacred and ancient 9th century Sri Ranganatha Temple in Srirangapatna town which is located within 200 metres of Tipu Palace Lotus Mahal is intact. It has not been disturbed by either Tipu Sultan or his father Hyder Ali. In fact the temple premises have Hyder ‘mantapa’ (platform). Hyder Ali has generously contributed to the temple.”
Gowda fears that this would become a major issue in the region. “After hijab crisis, saffron shawls have reached almost all Hindu students. Anything can happen in the coming days,” he said.
Rishi Kumar Swamiji of Kali Mutt was arrested in January on charges of giving a call to demolish the Jamia Masjid.
He had demanded for it to be closed until it was decided whether it is a temple or a mosque.
“Even a Hindu child will get provoked after seeing the pillars, platforms for Nag devtas. I am a sage. How should I feel? I naturally felt pained on seeing what had happened to my temple. I have faith in law. Through this law, the Ram Mandir is being in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. I will get justice in the case,” Rishi Kumar Swamiji said.
“For Babri Masjid, the authorities have to dig land beneath the mosque and find proof. But, in this case the authorities in Srirangapatna city will just have to get documents of the mosque.”
The historical Srirangapatna is regarded as Karnataka’s Ayodhya by Hindu activists.
Sources say that with Hindu activists taking up the issue, the party is going to reap rich electoral success in the region which is presently considered as the bastion of regional party JD (S).
Srirangapatna town is located in Mandya district, considered as the heartland of the dominant Vokkaliga community. With Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar pitching in against Hindutva ideology, experts say, it won’t be easy for BJP to reap political benefits here.
It also remains to be seen how the situation unfolds in the town, which will have a direct impact on capital Bengaluru.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Advocate Challenges Proposed Ban On Bakri Eid Qurbani In Housing Societies, Warns Of High Court Move

Mumbai, May 26: A legal representation has been filed before the Mayor of Mumbai, objecting to a proposed blanket ban on Bakri Eid Qurbani within housing societies, chawls and residential complexes across the city.
The legal notice, issued by advocate Faiyaz Alam Shaikh, challenges a civic communication dated 24 May 2026, arguing that a sweeping, indiscriminate prohibition on a recognised religious practice stands as arbitrary, disproportionate and legally vulnerable under Articles 14, 21 and 25 of the Constitution of India, which guarantee equality, the right to life and freedom of religion.
According to the notice, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) already possesses a robust, regulated framework for managing Bakri Eid permissions. This existing structure operates via designated locations, ward-level supervision and online permission channels, including the MyBMC portal.
Historically, regulated Qurbani arrangements have been permitted within approved premises and specific common areas of housing societies, provided they comply with sanitation norms, municipal licensing and No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
Shaikh contended that replacing an established, structured permission mechanism with a total ban—without any proportionality analysis or public consultation—violates basic constitutional tenets of fairness and non-discrimination.
The notice highlights that the Bombay High Court has consistently favoured strict regulation, hygiene and supervision over outright, indiscriminate bans.
Furthermore, the legal notice draws attention to the “Mumbai Qurbani Permission White Paper” submitted by Adv. Shaikh on 21 May 2026. The paper outlines comprehensive policy proposals, including uniform year-round regulatory guidelines, single-window permissions, strict veterinary and sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and a transparent grievance redressal mechanism.
The representation has urged the civic administration to reconsider the restriction and instead engage in consultation regarding the White Paper. Served as a preventive legal objection, the notice said that if no corrective action is taken, appropriate legal proceedings will be initiated before the Bombay High Court to quash the proposed ban.
Maharashtra
‘Bakre Ka Jawab Suvar Se Dena Hoga’: BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay Sparks Political Row Amid Mira Road Tension Ahead Of Bakra Eid

A fresh political controversy erupted in Mira Road after BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay made strong remarks while commenting on the ongoing dispute surrounding goats being brought into housing societies ahead of Bakra Eid.
The statement comes amid heightened communal tension in the locality, where clashes broke out earlier today over a temporary shed built for housing goats meant for Qurbani at Poonam Cluster Society.
Speaking to the media, Sanjay Upadhyay said the issue was not limited to Mira Road alone. Referring to another incident in Borivali, he claimed that a single family in Sumer Nagar society had brought six goats into the premises despite opposition from other residents.
The BJP MLA stated that the Maharashtra government has already issued clear guidelines prohibiting animal slaughter in housing societies and open public spaces. He added that all concerned departments had been informed about the rules.
Questioning those allegedly violating the guidelines, Upadhyay remarked that if goats could be brought into societies despite objections, then there should not be resistance if pigs were brought to such locations. He further said that if conflicts arise, “eet ka badla patthar se,”bakra la jawab suvar se” (brick should be answered with a stone, the goat will have to be answered with a pig).
The controversy began after municipal authorities demolished a temporary goat shed erected inside Poonam Cluster Society following complaints from Hindu residents and local organisations.
Later, tensions escalated when activists allegedly associated with Sakal Hindu Samaj and Bajrang Dal brought a pig near the Bakra Mandi protest site. Viral videos from the area showed protesters questioning why goats were being allowed into housing societies while objections were being raised against their protest.
The move led to heated arguments between members of two communities, prompting police intervention. Scuffles were reported from several spots, following which police carried out a lathi charge to disperse the crowd.
A heavy police presence remains in Mira Road as authorities continue monitoring the situation. Officials have appealed to residents to maintain peace and avoid circulating provocative messages or videos on social media.
Police are also examining footage from the incident and are expected to take action based on the findings of the investigation.
Maharashtra
Large-scale MD drugs racket busted in Agripara high-profile residence, accused investigated, alleged Bangladeshi also suspected, MD worth Rs 51 crore seized

Mumbai: The Kandivali ANC unit led by Mumbai Anti-Narcotics Cell Shashi Kant Jagdale has busted a major drug manufacturing racket. The accused were allegedly manufacturing MD drugs in a room of a high-profile residential building in Agripara. During the operation, the police seized 14 kg of MD and liquid MD worth around Rs 51 crore. The police have also recovered a pistol and 19 live cartridges from the accused. A total of three people have been arrested in this case, and further investigation is underway. One of these accused belongs to West Bengal. These accused used to make MD in Mumbai city. A pistol has also been recovered from one of the accused. Investigation is also underway to find out where he got this pistol from. Along with this, his documents are also being checked and it is also being ascertained whether this alleged Bangladeshi is not. DCP Nunath Dhole of Mumbai Anti-Narcotics Cell said that the police is investigating this matter from every angle, while the police has got a big success in which MD and liquid MD worth Rs 51 crore have been recovered. Investigation is also underway to find out how many people are involved in this network. The police is further investigating. This operation has been carried out by DCP Nunath Dhole of ANC on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti. The arrested accused have been identified as Muhammad Shoaib Shaukat Ali Mansoori, 31, of Yasmin Tower, Sufyan Saleem Mansoori, 28, and Reena Akhtar, daughter of Ashraf Al-Sikdar, 22.
-
Crime4 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra2 years agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News2 years agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News2 years agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime2 years agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
