By TwoCircles.net news desk
Vellor: The Tamilnadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) has decided to launch agitation to demand permission of prayer inside the mosque at Vellore Fort.
Addressing a press conference in Vellore on 3rd March, TMMK president Prof. M.H. Jawahirullah said his organization’s chief executive council which met at Chengelpet recently had decided to launch an agitation to demand the restoration of prayers at the mosque.
TMMK president Prof. M.H. Jawahirullah addressing the press conference
Located within the Vellore Fort, the mosque dates back to 1750 AD. It is made of granite stones with mortar, on three sides. The front portion is plastered with lime and bricks. It is rectangular in shape. The mosque is now under the control of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). At present worship is not permitted in the mosque and the gates of the mosque are closed.
Muslims of Vellore have been demanding the opening of the mosque for decades. They have made representations to the state government, Central government as well as ASI. TMMK also has made representations to various government agencies. But all in vain, said Jawahirullah.
Vellore mosque
Elaborating on the facts related to the issue, TMMK president said the ASI Director (Monument) in his letter D.O. No.20/2/05M dated 12th Septembe 2005 stated that “since the mosque at the time of protection of the monument was not under the worship, it cannot be opened for performing prayer. The status quo has to be maintained,” The contention of the ASI is blatant discrimination, says Jawahirullah.
ASI took over for protection in 1921 not only the mosque situated inside the Vellore Fort but also the whole Vellore Fort, Moat, Fort Maidan, Temple and Church. Blasting the ASI argument, the professor said no prayers were held at the temple inside the fort at the time of takeover of the fort. But now worship is going on in the temple as well as in the church, he said. Similarly, when the fort was taken over by ASI there were no government offices inside the fort. Now there are 48 government establishments inside the fort.
Jawahirullah said TMMK would wait until 30th April for the opening of the mosque for prayers. If the ASI remained adamant to its stand, TMMK would organise an agitation to perform Juma (Friday) prayers at the mosque, warned the president.