Kalaburagi: In a significant development surrounding the long-standing dispute at the Ladley Mashak Dargah in Aland town of Kalaburagi district, the Kalaburagi Bench of the High Court has permitted Shivaratri Puja to be performed at the Shivalinga located within the dargah premises, subject to strict conditions.
The court has granted permission only to the petitioner, Siddaramaiah Hiremath, to offer puja on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri on February 15. The puja will be allowed between 2 pm and 6 pm, and no other individuals will be permitted to participate.
While passing the order, the High Court directed the district administration and police authorities to provide adequate security to the petitioner during the ritual. The court also warned that strict action would be taken against anyone attempting to disturb law and order during the puja.
The petition initially sought permission for 15 people to perform special Shivaratri rituals at the Shivalinga, which Hindu groups refer to as the Sri Raghava Chaitanya Shivalinga. The plea was filed before the Kalaburagi Bench by Hindu organisations, including representatives associated with the Andola Mutt.
Speaking at a press conference in Kalaburagi, Andola Mutt seer Sri Siddalinga Swamiji confirmed that a petition had been filed seeking permission for 15 devotees to conduct the ritual. However, the court restricted the permission to a single individual.
The issue has been sensitive for several years, with Hindu groups claiming that a Shivalinga exists inside the dargah and that they have been performing annual Shivaratri puja there. According to Swamiji, in 2020, the Shivalinga was allegedly desecrated, and a chadar was placed over it under the claim that it formed part of a mazar structure.
He further recalled that in 2022, tensions had escalated following the Shivaratri observance. “After completing puja in 2022, there was heavy stone pelting by some members of the Muslim community. Vehicles belonging to then Union Minister Bhagwant Khuba, MLA Subhash Guttedar, and senior district officials were attacked,” he alleged.
Swamiji accused the state government and district administration of attempting to obstruct the performance of rituals at the site. “There is a conspiracy to prevent Hindu devotees from offering pooja at the Shivalinga. The district administration is acting in coordination with the Waqf Committee,” he alleged, while expressing confidence in the judiciary.
Despite the allegations, officials have maintained that security arrangements will be put in place to ensure peace and communal harmony. The High Court’s order emphasised that only the designated petitioner would be allowed entry for puja and that no gathering beyond what has been permitted would be tolerated.
Ahead of Shivaratri, Sri Siddalinga Swamiji conducted a religious ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Kalaburagi city, where more than 15 Hindu activists were reportedly made to wear ‘Shivamala’ as a mark of religious observance. However, in light of the court’s restriction, only the petitioner will be permitted to enter the disputed premises on February 15.
The Ladley Mashak Dargah issue has remained a sensitive interfaith matter in the region, periodically triggering tensions. The High Court’s limited and conditional approval appears aimed at balancing religious rights with the need to maintain public order.
With Maha Shivaratri approaching, authorities are on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents. Senior police officials are expected to oversee security deployment in and around Aland town to ensure that the court’s directives are strictly implemented.
