On being informed of unrest and tension prevailing at Velampalayam in Tiruppur city due to the municipal corporation’s move to lock and seal a mosque-cum-Madrasa (Islamic education centre) in Mahalakshmi Nagar, the Madras High Court on Thursday heard the issue following an urgent mention and ordered maintenance of status quo until Monday.
Justices R. Mahadevan and Mohammed Shaffiq decided to hear two pending contempt petitions related to the mosque on Monday and directed the officials to not disturb the regular activities in the mosque and the Madrasa till then. The directions were issued after the court was told the Muslims in the locality had indulged in protests
Tamil Nadu Wakf Board counsel S. Haja Mohideen Gisthi brought it to the notice of the judges that the protesters had also indulged in road blockade for more than two years against the move to lock and seal the mosque. He said, the officials need not have indulged in coercive action when the contempt petitions were pending.
