Chamarajpet has turned into a fortress with heavy police deployment as the State government has organised a programme to hoist the tricolour at the controversial Idgah Maidan on Monday morning.
As Hindutva organisations sought permission to hold a host of events at the Idgah Maidan in June, its ownership turned controversial as both the civic body and the Karnataka State Board of Auqaf claimed ownership. The BBMP recently turned down an application by the Wakf Board for khata in its name and declared the Karnataka Revenue Department as the default owner of the land, a decision being contested by the Wakf Board.
Following this, Revenue Minister R. Ashok chaired a meeting and decided that the department will hoist the tricolour at the grounds. Assistant Commissioner will hoist the flag at 8 a.m. Monday with local MLA B. Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan and MP Tejaswi Surya as chief guests. Muslims have not opposed the Independence Day event at the grounds and had volunteered to hoist the flag. It can be recalled that the ruling BJP had led a similar campaign to hoist the tricolour at the grounds in the 1970s as well.
