On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court delivered a landmark ruling, granting Hindu devotees permission to perform puja at the Raghava Chaitanya Shivalinga within the Ladle Masque Dargah premises in Aland on Mahashivratri. This order upholds a previous ruling by the Karnataka Waqf Tribunal, which had already established a schedule for religious observances.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued a significant ruling, permitting Hindu devotees to perform puja at the Raghava Chaitanya Shivalinga located within the Ladle Masque Dargah in Aland, Kalaburagi district, on Mahashivratri. The ruling upholds a prior order from the Karnataka Waqf Tribunal that set a schedule for religious ceremonies.
Dispute and Resolution Regarding the Shared Place of Worship
The Ladle Masque Dargah is associated with a 14th-century Sufi saint and the 15th-century Hindu saint Raghava Chaitanya, and has been considered a shared place of worship for centuries. However, communal tensions escalated following a dispute over religious rights that began in 2022. This dispute temporarily prevented Hindu devotees from performing puja, but the High Court's order now restores this historic tradition.
Coordinated Schedule: Designated Puja Times for Both Communities
* The Muslim community will be permitted to perform Urs-related rituals from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
* Hindu devotees will be allowed to perform puja at the Shivalinga within the Dargah premises from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
* Only 15 Hindu devotees will be allowed entry for the puja.
Strict Security Measures, Section 144 Imposed in Aland
* Large gatherings are prohibited.
* Twelve security checkpoints have been established.
* Drone surveillance is in place.
* Additional police personnel have been deployed.
