BJP, Bajrang Dal leaders meet CM over Bababudangiri row

A delegation comprising BJP and Bajrang Dal leaders along with seers of several mutts met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on Tuesday and sought a permanent solution to the Bababudangiri dispute.

The Supreme Court’s deadline set for the Karnataka government to decide the title claims over the disputed cave shrine, Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swami Dargah, atop Bababudangiri in Chikkamagaluru district ends on May 9.

The delegation, led by Chikkamagaluru MLA C T Ravi told the chief minister that according to the revenue department and muzrai records, the Datta Peetha and the dargah are located at different places and both Hindus and Muslims be allowed to offer prayers separately.

Seeking to prevent the dispute from being politicised, they wanted all stakeholders to be given an ample opportunity to furnish their opinion.

They also sought appointment of priests to offer pooja to the “Padukas” and “Nandadeepa” at the shrine on a daily basis.

The shrine has a long history of litigations. In 1978, the property of the dargah was taken over by the wakf board. The ‘Sajjada Nasheen’ (hereditary administrator of the sufi shrine) had challenged the move and got a decree in its favour.  A Cabinet sub-committee headed by Law Minister T B Jayachandra was constituted recently to decide on the government’s next step.

Siddaramaiah told reporters the government will also seek legal advice on the dispute.