Hubballi Municipal Corporation Clarifies No Proposal to Rename Eidgah Maidan Amid Controversy
Hubballi, September 5, 2025 — The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has found itself at the center of a heated controversy following social media speculation and opposition claims that it plans to rename the historic Eidgah Maidan in Hubballi, Karnataka. The issue, which gained traction after posts on X suggested a move to change the name of the prominent public ground, has been firmly denied by HDMC officials, who assert that no such proposal exists. Opposition parties, including the Congress and All India Majlis-e-Ittehad Muslimeen (AIMIM), have accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of stoking communal tensions ahead of local elections, while BJP leaders counter that the rumors are a deliberate attempt to mislead the public. The controversy underscores ongoing debates about cultural heritage, civic identity, and political maneuvering in Karnataka’s twin cities.
Origins of the Controversy
The Eidgah Maidan, located in central Hubballi, is a historic site used primarily for Eid prayers and community gatherings, managed by the Anjuman-e-Islam under a lease agreement with the HDMC. The current controversy began on August 30, 2025, when a post on X by user @KarnatakaVoice claimed that the HDMC, under BJP control, was considering renaming the Eidgah Maidan to “Veer Savarkar Maidan” to honor the Hindu nationalist leader Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The post, which cited “anonymous sources” within the corporation, quickly gained traction, prompting outrage from Muslim community leaders and opposition parties.
The speculation was fueled by historical tensions over the maidan, notably a 2015 dispute when Hindu groups demanded the site for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, leading to protests and legal battles. The Karnataka High Court later upheld the Anjuman-e-Islam’s right to manage the ground for religious purposes, a decision reaffirmed in 2022. The recent rumors of a name change reignited fears of communal polarization, particularly in light of the BJP’s 39-seat majority in the HDMC’s 82-member council following the 2021 elections.
HDMC’s Response: No Renaming Proposal
On September 4, 2025, HDMC Commissioner Ishwar Ullagaddi issued a statement categorically denying any proposal to rename the Eidgah Maidan. Ullagaddi clarified, “There is no discussion or plan within the HDMC to change the name of Eidgah Maidan. These are baseless rumors spread to create unrest.” The commissioner emphasized that the corporation is focused on civic development, including water supply, sanitation, and infrastructure projects, following the recent separation of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation into two entities on January 2, 2025.
The HDMC also pointed to its ongoing initiatives, such as the Hubli-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit System (HDBRTS) and property tax reforms, as evidence of its commitment to public welfare over divisive politics. A press release from the HDMC, published on its official website (www.hdmc.mrc.gov.in), urged residents to disregard social media misinformation and report complaints to the commissioner’s office at commissioner.hdmc@gmail.com or via the helpline (0836-2213800).
Opposition’s Allegations
Opposition parties seized on the rumors to accuse the BJP of attempting to polarize voters ahead of anticipated local body elections in Karnataka. Congress leader and Hubballi-Dharwad West MLA Srinivas Mane, in a September 3, 2025, press conference, alleged that the BJP was “resorting to communal tactics” to distract from its governance failures, such as delays in flood relief and infrastructure projects in Hubballi. “Renaming Eidgah Maidan is a dog whistle to divide communities,” Mane said, citing the BJP’s history of renaming initiatives, like the 2018 renaming of Hubli Airport to “Karnataka Airport.”
AIMIM Karnataka president Mukarram Khan echoed these sentiments, accusing the BJP of targeting Muslim heritage sites to consolidate its Hindu voter base. In a post on X (@MukarramKhanAIMIM, September 2, 2025), Khan referenced the 2021 HDMC elections, where the INC accused AIMIM of splitting minority votes, enabling the BJP’s victory. “This is another attempt to provoke and polarize,” he wrote, demanding a public apology from BJP leaders for “allowing such rumors to spread.”
BJP’s Defense and Counter-Narrative
The BJP dismissed the renaming rumors as a “fabricated controversy” orchestrated by the opposition to malign its image. BJP corporator and former mayor Veena Baradwad, speaking to ANI on September 4, 2025, stated, “No such proposal was ever discussed in the HDMC council. The opposition is spreading lies to create communal tension and gain political mileage.” Baradwad highlighted the BJP’s focus on development, such as the establishment of the Software Technology Park of India on Dharwad Road and the Aryabhata Tech Park in Navanagar, as evidence of its commitment to Hubballi’s growth.
BJP leaders also accused the Congress of hypocrisy, pointing to its role in the 1962 merger of Hubballi and Dharwad into a single municipal corporation, which some Dharwad residents still resent. A post on X by @BJP4Karnataka (September 3, 2025) claimed, “Congress is desperate to divert attention from their failures in Karnataka. The Eidgah Maidan issue is their creation to defame the BJP.”
Community Reactions and Social Media Buzz
The Muslim community in Hubballi, represented by the Anjuman-e-Islam, expressed concern over the rumors but welcomed the HDMC’s clarification. Maulana Mohammed Ismail, a senior member, told on September 4, 2025, “Eidgah Maidan is a symbol of our heritage. Any attempt to rename it would hurt our sentiments, but we trust the HDMC’s assurance.” Community leaders urged calm and dialogue to prevent escalation, recalling the 2015 tensions that required police intervention.
On X, the issue sparked polarized reactions. Posts from users like @HubliCitizen and @KarnatakaVoice criticized the BJP for “playing with communal fire,” while others, like @KarnatakaBJP_Supporter, defended the party, arguing that “no official proposal exists, and Congress is manufacturing outrage.” The hashtag #EidgahMaidan trended briefly in Karnataka, reflecting the issue’s resonance.
Historical Context and Civic Significance
The Eidgah Maidan has long been a focal point of civic and communal significance in Hubballi, a commercial hub known as “Chota Mumbai.” Covering approximately 2.5 acres, the ground is leased to the Anjuman-e-Islam for religious events but remains under HDMC jurisdiction. The site’s history dates back to the pre-independence era, when it served as a communal prayer space, and its management has been contentious, with disputes over its use for non-religious events like political rallies and festivals.
The HDMC, now split into separate Hubballi and Dharwad municipal corporations as of January 2, 2025, oversees 54 wards in Hubballi and 28 in Dharwad, per the 2021 delimitation (Dharwad District website). The corporation’s responsibilities include civic infrastructure, property tax collection, and public health, but it has faced criticism for uneven fund allocation, with Dharwad residents demanding separation due to perceived bias toward Hubballi (The Hindu, August 25, 2021).
Political and Social Implications
The Eidgah Maidan controversy comes at a sensitive time, with local elections looming and Karnataka’s political landscape polarized. The BJP’s dominance in the HDMC, with 39 seats, gives it significant influence, but opposition parties are leveraging the issue to rally minority voters. The Congress and AIMIM hope to capitalize on communal concerns, while the BJP aims to maintain its Hindu voter base by emphasizing development and dismissing the rumors.
Analysts suggest the controversy could impact voter sentiment in Hubballi, where the Muslim population constitutes about 25% of the electorate, per 2011 Census data. Political scientist Ramesh Hegde told on September 5, 2025, “This issue risks alienating minority communities if mishandled, but the BJP’s swift denial may mitigate the damage.” The HDMC’s focus on clarifying its stance reflects an effort to avoid a repeat of past communal flare-ups, such as the 2015 Ganesh Chaturthi dispute.
Looking Ahead
As the HDMC navigates this controversy, its assurance of no renaming plans has temporarily defused tensions, but the incident highlights the fragility of communal harmony in Hubballi. The corporation’s call for residents to report misinformation and its emphasis on ongoing projects, like the HDBRTS and water supply improvements, aim to shift focus to governance. However, the opposition’s aggressive campaign and social media’s role in amplifying rumors suggest that the issue could resurface as elections approach. For now, the Eidgah Maidan remains a symbol of both heritage and contention, underscoring the challenges of balancing civic identity with political dynamics in Karnataka’s twin cities.
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