‘Temple traces’ in Jamia Masjid: Manch activists seek nod to perform puja

By NT Correspondent

Mysuru: Close on the heels of the survey of Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi to ascertain if a Hindu temple existed there, office-bearers of Narendra Vichar Manch have submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner of Mandya seeking permission to perform pooja at Jamia mosque in Srirangapatna taluk claiming that Hindu temple items were found in the mosque.

In the wake of this, security at the mosque has been tightened and police personnel have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident. In the memorandum submitted to the Mandya DC, the Manch officebearers claimed that Jamia Majid was built on the site where Moodala Bagilu Anjaneyaswamy Temple stood earlier. During the rein of Tipu Sultan, the temple was demolished and the mosque was constructed, they alleged adding that there are remnants of the temple like the pond and carvings of Hindu gods in the mosque. The masjid must be vacated and they should be allowed to re-consecrate the idol of Moodala Bagilu Anjaneyaswamy at the same spot, they demanded.

According to the activists, the Jamia Masjid was constructed in 1784 during Tipu Sultan rule. “In the Mysore Gazetteer, Louis Rice had noted about Tipu Sultan writing to the Khalifa in Persia that the Hindu temple had been demolished and a masjid had been built on the land. In view of this, the masjid must be removed and Hindus must be allowed to perform pooja to Moodala Bagilu Anjaneyaswamy inside the masjid,” they asserted.

Meanwhile, self-styled Kali Swamiji said the days are not far when puja will be performed at the Anjaneyaswamy temple in the masjid.