Delhi Muslim body apologises in court for opposing Rani Lakshmibai statue in park

Delhi's Shahi Idgah Managing Committee has tendered an unconditional apology before the Delhi High Court for filing a petition opposing the installation of a statue of Rani Lakshmibai inside the Shahi Idgah Park.

In Short

• Shahi Idgah Managing Committee apologises, withdraws its plea
• Court demanded an apology and removal of scandalous pleadings
• Court stated that Rani Lakshmibai is a national hero

After the Delhi High Court came down heavily on the Delhi Shahi Idgah Managing Committee for opposing the installation of a statue of Rani Lakshmibai inside the Shahi Idgah Park, the Muslim body on Friday filed an apology before the court and informed the court that it had withdrawn its plea.

On Wednesday, September 25, the Delhi High Court rapped the Delhi Shahi Idgah Managing Committee for its "scandalous pleadings" and said the committee was doing communal politics through its petitions.

After the court's rebuke, the committee promised to withdraw the plea, but the court has also sought an apology first, along with an application seeking to remove scandalous pleadings including allegations made against a division bench of the court that dismissed their plea.

On Friday, September 27, the Chief Justice Manmohan-led bench of the court deferred the hearing in the case till Tuesday for the documents to be brought on record.

Earlier, a division bench of the Delhi High Court had dismissed the plea, which the committee then challenged before a division bench.

The bench of the court had dismissed the plea opposing the installation of the Rani Lakshmibai statue, stating that it doesn’t see how their right to offer prayers or to perform any religious rights is being endangered in any manner.

While stating that history should not be divided on communal grounds, the court remarked that Jhansi Ki Rani (Lakshmi Bai) is a national hero, cutting across all religious lines.