Chennai, Feb 25 (BPNS)

The issue regarding construction of a new mosque at Sarakar Mundy street in the Vellore district continues unresolved after mediatory talks between Hindu groups and Muslim groups could not reach a stalemate. The situation continues to be tense with heavy police personnel guarding the place.

The issue snowballed into a major controversy after some Hindus under the umbrella of Hindu Munnani opposed the construction of the mosque in that area. The objection of the Hindu Munnani was that in an area spread within 100 m there were three temples and that the processions of these temples during festival will go through the street and could lead to confrontation.

The Muslim leaders of the area complained that the action of blocking the construction of the Mosque by the Hindu leaders was an act of denying religious freedom. The district administration had called for mediatory talks with both the parties at Vellore district collectors office but the Muslim leaders refused to participate in the meeting.

The Muslim leaders met the District Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kannan and ADO Vishnu Priya separately and said that the matter has been resolved. However, Hindu Munnani leaders said that they had submitted all the documents related to the building which was converted to a mosque recently, and said that it was a shop.

Hindu Munnani Regional president K. Mahesh while speaking to media persons said, “ They claim that it is a very old mosque but we have submitted records including patta stating that the controversial site was a shop and there are no records of a mosque there. Also, there are no Muslims in that street, and why they want a mosque.”

The Hindu Munnani leaders also said that the district administration did not provide proper answers to their questions regarding ownership of the land and other legal aspects.

It may be noted that the Muslim leaders had claimed that the mosque was in existence at the same place since 1866 and have also said that they had revenue records and Wakf board documents to support it.

A senior police officer while speaking to BPNS said, ” We have deployed a strong police contingent in the area as we don’t want to take any risk to disturb the law and order situation in the place.”