Controversial varsity to be cut down to size

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Controversial varsity to be cut down to size

Kumar Chellappan

24 November 2013

CHENNAI

[The controversial Heera International Islamic University built by one Nowheera Shaikh at Tirupati, suffered a major setback with the District Collector of Chittoor, K Ramgopal, ordering the demolition of six floors of the seven-storeyed structure.]

An investigation ordered by the District Collector revealed that Shaikh constructed six additional floors though she had permission from Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) for constructing only the ground and first floor.

The Heera International University set up at the abode of Lord Venkateswara and Goddess Padmavathi had triggered massive protests and all major political parties in Andhra Pradesh had demanded its closure.In his order, Ramgopal has asked the police and revenue officials to demolish the illegally-constructed six floors.

Ramgopal has asked the Thondavada Panchayath Secretary to take the help of senior officials including Vice-Chairman of TUDA and police to carry out the demolition. TUDA had given permission to the society Madaresa-Niswam Isha-Atul-Islam-Urdu and Arabic Development Society Trust headed by Shaikh to construct a building with a first floor.

Officials in the Collector’s office told The Pioneer that the secretary of Thondavada Panchayath had issued notices to Shaikh in February and May 2012 asking her to stop all construction activities as she had gone ahead with the construction of six floors for which she did not have permission.

Tirumala Tirupati Parirakshana Samithi, an umbrella organisation of devotees of Tirupati shrine, which includes retired judges of the High Court and former Director-General of Police TS Rao had sent a petition to the District Collector to stop the Islamic University near Tirupati, to ensure peace and tranquillity in the holy town. 

Interestingly, many Muslim leaders in Tirupati had expressed their apprehensions over this university also.

Shamir Basha, a widely-respected Muslim businessman in Tirupati said the Islamic college established last year was shrouded in mystery. “Nowheera Shaikh claims she is from Tirupati. But nobody heard of her  before she started the controversial college,” said Basha. 

Sorakayala Krishna Reddy, Tirupati’s historian and chronicler said the Islamic College has been built on land reclaimed from a temple pond. “The land on which the college has been built belonged to Timmapuram Venkateswara Temple. 

This temple was built in 1542 by the grandson of Saint Annamacharya, the music composer. The temple was destroyed by Hyder Ali in 1782.

The original statue of Lord Venkateswara measuring 14.5 ft was there in the temple land for a while,” said Reddy. He said he had seen the statue during his childhood. 

Adi Kesavulu Reddy, leader of the YSR Congress said all political parties except the Communists were against the Islamic University. 

“The Communist Party of India had come out in the open questioning the authority of the district collector to order the demolition,” said Reddy.

Tirupati and northern Tamil Nadu has been witnessing a series of marches and demonstrations against the Islamic University. Ramesh Shinde, national spokesman of the Hindu Jan Jagruthi Samstha said the agitation would continue till the Islamic University is shut down permanently. “There is a special law in Andhra Pradesh which prevents other religions from building their religious institutions close to Hindu places of worship,”Shinde said.

The HJJS has called for a massive demonstration at Tirupati on December 20 to protest against the high handed behaviour of certain TUDA officials in allotting temple lands to mosques and churches.