Eid Namaz at August Kranti Maidan: Court Seeks Decision
The court's directive has brought attention to the historical significance of August Kranti Maidan and the long-standing tradition of Eid prayers being held at the site, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that respects both the site's legacy and the religious rights of the community.
The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to decide on a plea to hold Eid prayers at August Kranti Maidan in south Mumbai, after the police refused permission citing traffic and law and order concerns, despite the site being used for mass namaz during Eid for the last 50 years.
The court referred to a 2006 order stating that permission for the ground's use can only be given by the Secretary of Maharashtra's Cultural Affairs and Social Justice Department. The petitioner, a social worker, claimed that the local Muslim community has been using the ground for mass namaz during Eid without any issues. However, Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha has opposed the plea, citing the site's historical significance in India's independence movement and urging the Mumbai Police Commissioner to reject the request.
August Kranti Maidan is associated with the Quit India Movement of 1942, and Minister Lodha believes its sanctity should not be compromised. The petitioner, Umer Abdul Jabbar Gopalani, argued that Namaaz has been performed at the site for nearly five decades without incident and pointed to prior permissions from Traffic Police and BMC. The court allowed the petitioner to amend the plea and directed the Secretary to consider it without delay, ideally by the end of the day.
The decision on the plea is expected to be made soon, and it remains to be seen whether the Maharashtra government will grant permission for Eid prayers to be held at August Kranti Maidan. The outcome of this decision will have significant implications for the local Muslim community and the use of the site for religious gatherings.