JOIN US The descendant of sufi pir, Sajjada Nasheen has described as “incorrect and misleading” the Karnataka government’s contention that there was no masjid near the disputed cave shrine of Guru Dattatreya Bababudangiri Swami dargah in Chikmagalur.
In a rejoinder to the State government’s affidavit submitted in the Supreme Court, Sajjada Nasheen furnished a number of documents, including official communication of as far back as 1932 and as recent as 2001, and electricity bill, clearly acknowledging the existence of the mosque on the premises. “The contention that in fact there is no masjid at all on the premises and that what is found is a common prayer hall in a dilapidated condition, etc, is entirely incorrect and absolutely misleading,” the response filed by advocate Neela Gokhale said.
Earlier, the State government had said that following a letter by the executive engineer of public works department in November 2003, the structure was demolished as recommended since, built in mud and stones, it was in a dilapidated condition and there was no possibility of its renovation.
Countering the stand, the written response made by 44-year-old Syed Ghouse Mohiuddin Shakhadri cited an archaeological report of Karnataka, dating back to 1932, showing the inscription stating ‘on the wall near the masjid’.
Besides, he claimed a letter sent on June 5, 1950, by Chikmagalur’s deputy commissioner had communicated to the ‘amaldar’ of the district with a copy to his father, “in respect of renovation of the mosque at the Dattatreya Peeth on the Bababudan Hills.”