Once a sociologist pointed out the danger of religion coming to the roads. He commented that, “what is happening inside in happening on the roads." The simple question in the case of Vellore issue is why the Mohammedans forgot and remember now only?

Karunanidhi incidentally hinted that since the power of allowing or not-allowing inside the declared monuments was vested wuth the Central government, the Muslims should approach appropriate authorities. However, they decided to violate.

What exactly, their Quran, shariat and Hadis say about the position of a “mosque". During the argument of RJM-BB, Islamic scgholars opine that disused or a mosque continuously not used so, would not be considered as “mosque".

If our Mohammedan friends clarify, it would be good for understanding.

Moreover, the Mohammedans submitted in writing that they would not claim any right, as they were not interested in it. Why then now claim?

Muslims defy ASI to pray at mosque

By PEER MOHAMEDhttp://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftnavigation/news/india/muslims-defy-asi-to-pray-at-mosque.aspx

Vellore, May 9: Nearly 10,000 members of the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) from all over the state conducted their Friday congregational prayers under 105.8 F on Vellore-Bangalore road in protest against denial of permission to pray in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected mosque inside the historic Vellore fort. Normal life in the town, about 160 km from Chennai, was affected for three hours.

The Vellore fort saw an unprecedented deployment of over 2,000 policemen led by several senior officers, while four vajras (riot control vehicles), two varuns (teargas vehicles), three fire tenders, five medical teams and five boat rescue teams (in case protesters run amok and fall into the moat) stood by. However, the disciplined TMMK cadre followed instructions from their leader M.H. Jawahirullah and courted arrest peacefully after the prayer in front of the fort.

Vellore’s Congress legislator C. Gnanasekaran told this newspaper that he was overwhelmed by the massive turnout of Muslims and their peaceful protest expressed through the congregational prayer in scorching heat. “I will take up their case, their right to pray at the age-old mosque. The right of Hindus to worship at the Jalakanteswarar temple inside the fort was conceded by the ASI in the 1980s by popular demand.

Services are going on unhindered at the St. John’s Church, also within the fort complex. Only the old mosque remains in disuse and it is natural that the Muslim community feels hurt at being denied the right to worship," he said while urging the concerned authorities to allow the Muslims to pray at the mosque.

1,500 Islamic party workers held for flouting orders (Lead)

Another report goes like this:

http://www.india-forums.com/news/article.asp?id=93894

Vellore (Tamil Nadu), May 9 (IANS) Over 1,500 workers of a Tamil Nadu Muslim party were arrested Friday for violating orders and attempting to pray at a disused 200-year-old mosque inside a fort here. The party promised to continue its struggle to offer prayers at the mosque as its ‘birth right".

Vellore (Tamil Nadu), May 9 (IANS) Over 1,500 workers of a Tamil Nadu Muslim party were arrested Friday for violating orders and attempting to pray at a disused 200-year-old mosque inside a fort here. The party promised to continue its struggle to offer prayers at the mosque as its ‘birth right".

Workers of the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) tried to offer prayers at the Nawab Masjid in the 13th century Vellore Fort, against Archaeological Survey of India orders.

Vellore District Collector D.P. Yadav told IANS: ‘Over 2,000 police personnel were pressed into service to maintain order. Though only 500 looked like courting arrest, nearly thrice that number were eventually held as the protestors" numbers swelled to approximately 3,000. As the event was peaceful, the protesters were let off in the evening."

Eyewitnesses told IANS that the TMMK volunteers indicated that Friday"s event was only a dress rehearsal for a bigger protest later. TMMK general secretary Hyder Ali told IANS by phone from Chennai that over 10,000, including TMMK leader M.N. Jawahirullah, were arrested.

‘Today"s event was only a symbolic protest against the Archaeological Survey of India that refused us permission for our prayers at the mosque in the fort which is our birth right. If proper responses from the central and state governments are not forthcoming, our struggle will have to be long and bitter," Ali said.

‘The ASI has allowed Hindus to worship at the temple within the fort. So, why are we alone being unjustly denied the privilege? Further, why is the government downplaying our protest?" an angry Ali asked.

Meanwhile, according to sources a bigger gathering is being planned in Vallam, a small town in Thanjavur, for two days from Saturday afternoon. It is being organised by the Tawheed Jamaat, another Islamic group.

‘Some 200,000 devout Muslims will congregate there and demand the rights denied to us for so long. In fact, today"s event in Vellore was an attempt to jump the gun," Jamaat sources added.

Though it is said to have been built in the 13th century, Vellore fort finds first recorded mention in 1566 when it was renoved during the Vijayanagaram regime by its Nayakkar chieftains, according to accounts published by a temple here.

The fort was captured and held by the Bijapur Muslim dynasty (1656-1678), the Marathas (1678-1707) and the Mughals (1707-1760). It finally went under the British control in 1760 till India"s independence in 1947, according to a Tamil Nadu government communique issued July 2006.

Situated 130 km west of capital Chennai, this town is famous for its Christian Mission College and Hospital. The fort houses a Shiva temple (Jalakanteshwarar shrine), a church and a mosque.

The ASI and a trust were granted control of the fort in 1921, according to government records.

After a protracted battle since 1961, a few Hindus gained permission to offer worship in the shrine inside the fort in 1981 under ASI control and supervision. Till Friday, prayers had not been offered inside the mosque and the church for almost 200 years, locals said.

Hindu groups alleged that the protest namaaz was the handiwork of Islamic fundamentalists who want to compete with the 27-year-old offering of Hindu prayers inside the fort.

‘While the Jalakanteshwarar temple has been in existence since the 13th century and is a sign of patriotism, the mosque is a symbol of alien rule. The demand to offer worship inside the fort is without any justification whatsoever", Rama Gopalan, leader of the Hindu Front, said.

‘Any unauthorised entry into the fort or activity within is prohibited," an ASI signboard proclaims at the entrance of the fort.

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at and is filed under Uncategorized, Blogging, Philosophy, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.