The Supreme Court has issued a stern order to the Karnataka government to clarify its stand on the disputed rights of worship at the holy place in the state which holds religious significance for both Hindus and Muslims.
The apex court has given the state eight more weeks to take a decision on the Chikkamagaluru Datta Peeta temple, calling it the “last chance” to resolve the matter.
This revered site, also known as the Guru Dattatreya Baba Budangari Swamy Dargah, is visited by thousands of Hindus and Muslims every year but has been in the midst of a heated dispute over its religion and customs, with both communities claiming rights to perform rituals there. .
Although the shrine is revered by both communities, some groups have asked for “independence,” saying it was historically a temple dedicated to Lord Dattatreya. The site currently sees both Hindu and Muslim rituals performed, with a Hindu priest (Pujari) leading Hindu ceremonies and a Mujawar overseeing Muslim rituals.
The dispute began after the Karnataka High Court ruled in March 2023 against the state government’s decision to allow only a Mujawar (Muslim priest) to perform rituals at the site.
The Supreme Court has been following this issue for some time. Last January, the court listed the Karnataka government’s request that a cabinet sub-committee be formed to deal with the dispute. However, the committee’s discussions continued without a decision.
DELAY AND DELAY
In September 2024, the Supreme Court had already issued what it called the “last chance” for the state to make a decision. However, during the hearing on Tuesday, it was informed that the sub-committee was still deliberating, prompting the court to extend the time for the last time.
“It is sad to see that the Cabinet Sub-Committee has been working on this since before January 2024 but it seems that no real progress has been made,” the court noted, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
The high court has warned that failure to meet the eight-week deadline will result in state sanctions, although the exact costs have not been disclosed.