Hundreds of Fakirs who assembled in Badamakan Darga on Saturday morning, began the Uroos rituals as per the traditions. The venue was filled with the slogans and music from the instruments.
As and when Shakhadri clad in saffron cloth entered Bada Makan Darga at 11 am, the Fakirs fell on his feet and shouted slogans to welcome him. When Shakhadri came out of the Bada Makan to travel towards Bababudangiri, Circle Inspector Vijaya Prasad approached Shakhadri and informed him that he would be taken into custody as the district administration has barred the Uroos celebration in the Giri.
Shakhadri without uttering a single word, climbed the police jeep. Despite Fakirs protesting against the arrest, police took Shakhadri to the police station. Moved by the incident, Fakirs continued their stir in Basavanahalli road, but with the police warning to arrest them, the disappointed group scattered from the spot.
Once again the Fakirs assembled near the Deputy Commissioner’s office and they were addressed by DySP Vedamoorthy. The senior most members of Shakhadri family requested the DC N S Channappa Gowda to release Shakhadri. “Shakhadri would not harm the peace. We are hurt by his arrest. Please release him,” they said. Deputy Commissioner assured them of releasing Shakhadri by evening.
None of the local Muslims and Muslim leaders were to be found anywhere during the protest. The devotees expressed their anger over the district administration for closing the entry to Bababudangiri. “If not Uroos celebration, the district administration should have at least allowed us to take darshan in the giri,” said a disappointed devotee Aziz from Sholapur.
DC’s action flayed
Responding to the district administration’s decision, a Shakhadri’s family member alleged that the Uroos celebration by the district administration as illegal. The Uroos celebrated few days back was not according to the tradition. “We condemn the DC’s decision of arresting our Shakhadri,” he said.
Shakhadri to file writ in SC
Shakhadri has informed that he would file a writ in the Supreme Court against the government for violating the Supreme Court’s order to allow us to celebrate Uroos. He said that the judgment related to the office-bearers of the Peeta will be announced within a month. “I assure the devotees that no confusion would prevail with regard to the Uroos celebration next year,” he said.
Meanwhile, he informed that this year following the restriction, all the Uroos rituals will be performed in Badakam Darga itself.
