Forum welcomes SC order on Datta Peetha

Komu Souharda Vedike general secretary K L Ashok has welcomed the stand of the Supreme Court approving the affidavit filed by the state government.

Addressing reporters here on Wednesday, he said that the state government had filed the affidavit based on the report submitted by Justice H N Nagmohan Das committee on Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swamy Dargah.

The committee had considered the records submitted by the parties and has carried out a study for eight months on the same.

MLA C T Ravi and his team have been trying hard to convert the Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swamy Dargah into 'Datta Peetha'.

The court decision is a thumbs down for the fictional stories created by C T Ravi on the Dargah. The Chikkamagaluru MLA is trying to translate the issue into votes in the upcoming elections.

All people, irrespective of caste, creed and religion may visit Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swamy Dargah round the year.

Currently, Shakhadri is the religious head of the dargah and will lead the religious rituals.

Forum state secretary Gouse Mohiyuddin said that the forum has submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner to mention the name of the dargah as 'Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swamy Dargah', in the plaques put up by the Tourism Department, instead of 'Datta Peetha'.

'Conspiracy'

Offering the victory to journalist Gowri Lankesh, who took to the streets to fight on the issue, K L Ashok said that the like-minded people had brought out 'Nanu Gowri' magazine. "But, some vested interests have conspired to avoid recognition from Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI). The magazine is being printed for private circulation as of now."

Forum district president Hasanabba and organising secretary Gouse Munir were present.