Seven Arrested For Performing Roza Iftar At Lakshagriha After Court Gave Ownership Of Mahabharata Site To Hindus

Despite the Hindu side winning the legal battle over Lakshagriha-Mazar dispute in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat, the Muslims are not leaving claim on it as they performed Roza Iftar here on Holi (25 March).

Hindus protested against it and informed the police about the incident. After that, seven men of the Muslim community were arrested, Live Hindustan reported.

Located on an ancient hill near the meeting point of the Hindon and Krishni rivers in Barnawa village, Baghpat district, the site has been at the center of a long-standing controversy. 

On 5 February, a lengthy legal battle of 53 years cam to an end with the court giving ownership rights over 100 bighas of land and tomb to the Hindu side.

The court recognised the ancient mound as Lakshagriha (Lakhamandap), mentioned in the ancient epic Mahabharata, dismissing the claims of a Dargah and cemetery by the Muslim side.

While the verdict is challenged in the upper court, seven Muslim men riding on three bikes reached the site on the evening of Holi and started Roza Iftar on Lakshagriha's yagyashala.

When they were stopped from doing so, they started arguing and claimed that the site was their religious place. The locals then reached out to the police.

Subsequently, Rashid, Sakir, Shahil, Shahrukh, Mehtab, Farid and Nadeem were taken to the police station and a case was registered under charges of hurting religious sentiments.

The police also took hold of the three bikes and seven mobile phones belonging to the accused. Since then, the way towards Lakshagriha has been barricaded.