The Muslim community residing in and around Jeppu in the city categorically stated that it has sought allotment of about 26 cents of vacant government land at Attavar-Nandigudda for a burial ground and not burial land being used by other communities, including the Hindus.
J. Sadique, president of Muhyideen Juma Masjid and Dars, Noorul Islam Madrasa, Jeppu, in a release here said that the government may also allot any other suitable land other than the Nandigudda land as every human being is entitled for an honourable burial.
Recently residents of Jeppu, Attavar and surrounding areas under the banner of Vishwa Hindu Parishad had held a demonstration protesting the decision of the government to allot certain portion of the land in Nandigudda for Muslim burial ground.
Following the protest, the assistant commissioner of Mangaluru Revenue Sub Division heard both the parties and reserved his order on the issue. Mr. Sadique said the government burial land in Nandigudda has been offered to various communities, including 2.32 acres to Hindus, 59 cents to Brahmo Samaj, 2.28 acres to Christians, 1 acre to Mescom, 7 cents to Syrian Christians, 10 cents to Jehovah’s Witnesses and 43 cents for roads. There remains another 26 cents of government land which has been vacant, which the Muslim community has claimed, he said.
Mr. Sadique said Jeppu area houses about 50,000 Muslims, while the available burial ground is on just 21 cents of land, which is being used for over a century and the community is facing a severe shortage of space.
