Eidgah Bilali, a venue of ‘Waqf protests', in spotlight
Hyderabad: Eidgah Bilali at Masab Tank, which is turning out to be a venue for protest meetings of late against the 'Waqf (Amendment) Act', is in the spotlight. As a portion of this Eidgah also known historically as 'Hockey Grounds' already encroached upon by squatters, locals began questioning the sincerity of the political and religious heads leading the protest programmes, in setting free 'Waqf lands' like the Eidgah.
As per the Waqf records, Eidgah Bilali, which is over a century old, is spread out over 19,636 sq yds. However in recent years, part of it has fallen to land sharks, particularly the area which is on the western side of the ground. Shanties, workshops and also some houses have been built in this part. The locals fear that whatever remaining area on the western side attached to the Eidgah's main structure (the wall) would be lost within no time, if ignored. 'This is one of the important Eidgahs of the city and I have my fond memories as a hockey player in these grounds. However, over the recent years, part of it has been encroached and whatever is remaining beyond the Eidgah's wall is falling to land sharks,' said Saleem Bin Khalifa, general secretary of Bhistiwada Youth Sports Welfare Association.
During the days when hockey was patronised, for sports lovers like Saleem, this ground was their second home, as they spent their maximum time playing the 'national sport'.
However, as cricket became more popular, youngsters began playing cricket in the grounds and in recent years, a cricket academy also came into being in the same grounds on the southern portion of the land. Saleem and scores of others have questioned its existence, since part of Eidgah's land is now held back by the academy allegedly 'under lease'.
Historically, the Eidgah was under the control of the committee of Jama Masjid in AC Guards. But in recent years, the committee has lost control over it. A few others have questioned the way protest programmes related to Waqf Act were held without mentioning the alleged encroachment of the Eidgah's western side. 'A few weeks ago, a big public meeting was organised in the city and during that time, the all India Muslim Personal Law Board chief refrained from answering the questions asked by a national channel reporter regarding Waqf encroachments. In the coming days, more protests are going to take place in Hyderabad against the amendment in the Waqf Act. The Board should also highlight details of illegal encroachments of Waqf properties so that the general public becomes aware of it and supports the efforts,' said another resident, on condition of anonymity.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
02-06-2025
- United News of India
Virat Kohli's One8 Commune faces legal action
Bengaluru, Jun 2 (UNI) The Cubbon Park Police have registered a suo motu case against One8 Commune, a pub and restaurant co-owned by cricketer Virat Kohli, for alleged violations of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). The establishment has been booked under Sections 4 and 21 of the Act for failing to maintain a designated smoking area within its premises. This is not the first time the establishment has come under regulatory scrutiny. In July 2024, the same pub was found operating beyond the permissible hours during a routine night patrol. Police Sub-Inspector Ashok Thakur reported that the pub was still serving customers at 1:20 a.m., exceeding the city's 1 a.m. deadline for such establishments. Consequently, an FIR was filed against the pub's manager under Section 103 of the Karnataka Police Act. Additionally, in December 2024, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) issued a notice to One8 Commune over alleged fire safety violations. The civic body acted upon a complaint by a social activist, stating that the pub was operating without implementing mandated fire safety measures or obtaining a fire department clearance certificate. The BBMP had previously issued a notice on November 29, but the pub management failed to respond, prompting a seven-day deadline for compliance, failing which legal action would be initiated. One8 Commune's Bengaluru branch, located on the sixth floor of Ratnam's Complex on Kasturba Road near the Chinnaswamy Cricket Stadium, was inaugurated in December 2023. The establishment is part of a chain with outlets in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Kolkata. As of now, the management of One8 Commune has not issued any public statement regarding these violations. Investigations are ongoing, and further actions will depend on the outcomes of these probes. UNI BDN GNK
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Hans India
Eidgah Bilali, a venue of ‘Waqf protests', in spotlight
Hyderabad: Eidgah Bilali at Masab Tank, which is turning out to be a venue for protest meetings of late against the 'Waqf (Amendment) Act', is in the spotlight. As a portion of this Eidgah also known historically as 'Hockey Grounds' already encroached upon by squatters, locals began questioning the sincerity of the political and religious heads leading the protest programmes, in setting free 'Waqf lands' like the Eidgah. As per the Waqf records, Eidgah Bilali, which is over a century old, is spread out over 19,636 sq yds. However in recent years, part of it has fallen to land sharks, particularly the area which is on the western side of the ground. Shanties, workshops and also some houses have been built in this part. The locals fear that whatever remaining area on the western side attached to the Eidgah's main structure (the wall) would be lost within no time, if ignored. 'This is one of the important Eidgahs of the city and I have my fond memories as a hockey player in these grounds. However, over the recent years, part of it has been encroached and whatever is remaining beyond the Eidgah's wall is falling to land sharks,' said Saleem Bin Khalifa, general secretary of Bhistiwada Youth Sports Welfare Association. During the days when hockey was patronised, for sports lovers like Saleem, this ground was their second home, as they spent their maximum time playing the 'national sport'. However, as cricket became more popular, youngsters began playing cricket in the grounds and in recent years, a cricket academy also came into being in the same grounds on the southern portion of the land. Saleem and scores of others have questioned its existence, since part of Eidgah's land is now held back by the academy allegedly 'under lease'. Historically, the Eidgah was under the control of the committee of Jama Masjid in AC Guards. But in recent years, the committee has lost control over it. A few others have questioned the way protest programmes related to Waqf Act were held without mentioning the alleged encroachment of the Eidgah's western side. 'A few weeks ago, a big public meeting was organised in the city and during that time, the all India Muslim Personal Law Board chief refrained from answering the questions asked by a national channel reporter regarding Waqf encroachments. In the coming days, more protests are going to take place in Hyderabad against the amendment in the Waqf Act. The Board should also highlight details of illegal encroachments of Waqf properties so that the general public becomes aware of it and supports the efforts,' said another resident, on condition of anonymity.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Mr India is title, doesn't violate Emblems Act: HC
Chennai: Conferring titles such as Mr India, Ms India, or Ms/Mr South India for winners of bodybuilding competitions does not violate the provisions of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, Madras high court has ruled. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "As far as the sport of bodybuilding is concerned, it is common knowledge that whoever wins the competition is called Mr or Ms South India or India or World. That is common and specific to the sport," Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy said in a recent order. This does not in any manner mean that it is the use of any national emblem or name of the country for any trade, business, or profession. It is synonymously used to refer to the title winner of such bodybuilding competitions. The sport is conducted to encourage physical fitness among individuals, the judge added. The law only prohibits the use of the nation's name or emblem in any trade, business, calling, or profession, or in the title of any patent, or in any trademark or design without the previous permission of the govt, he said. "I do not see the conferring of such titles for winners of the sport in any manner violative of Section 3 of the Act,"v he added. The court passed the order while dismissing a plea moved by the Puducherry Bodybuilders & Fitness Association seeking to restrain a group of private individuals from conducting the sport and conferring such titles to winners. According to the petitioner, an advertisement was issued regarding the sport event containing the words Mr India and Mr South India, which is violative of Section 3 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act.
