The Karnataka High Court allows Hindu devotees to worship at Ladle Mashak Dargah during Mahashivaratri, establishing time slots for both Hindu and Muslim rituals, amidst heightened security to ensure peace.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday granted Hindu devotees permission to perform puja to the Shivalinga inside Ladle Mashak Dargah in Aland during Mahashivaratri, upholding an earlier order by the Karnataka Waqf Tribunal.
As per the tribunal’s directive, a structured time allocation has been set to accommodate both Hindu and Muslim religious practices at the dargah.
- From 8 AM to 12 PM, members of the Muslim community will be allowed to perform Urs-related rituals.
- From 2 PM to 6 PM, Hindu devotees can offer prayers to the Raghava Chaitanya Shivalinga located within the dargah premises.
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Additionally, the High Court granted permission for 15 Hindu devotees to enter the dargah to perform the puja.
The shrine is historically a shared place of worship, associated with both a 14th-century Sufi saint and the 15th-century Hindu saint Raghava Chaitanya. However, tensions escalated in 2022 over religious rights at the site, leading to communal unrest.
To maintain peace, the district administration has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in Aland, restricting public gatherings. Security has been significantly tightened, with:
- 12 police checkpoints set up.
- Drones deployed for surveillance.
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Superintendent of Police Isha Pant stated that while authorities did not enforce business closures, many local shopkeepers voluntarily shut down as a precaution.
The High Court emphasized that both communities must strictly adhere to designated time slots and maintain the status quo of the property. Authorities have been instructed to prevent any unauthorized changes at the site during the rituals.
Deputy Commissioner Yeshwanth Gurukar and law enforcement officials have been directed to ensure the peaceful execution of the court’s order, ensuring law and order in the town.
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