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Disputed Karnataka shrine: Cong govt holds meeting to find solution

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Bengaluru, Jan 17: In a major development, the Congress-led Karnataka government on Friday said it was determined to find a permanent solution to the controversial Datta Peetha Bababudangiri Dargah dispute.

A consultation meeting was held on the issue at the Vidhana Soudha conference hall in Bengaluru by state Home Minister G. Parameshwara with legislators, representatives, and religious leaders from Chikkamagaluru district to discuss the ongoing Special Leave Petition (SLP) related to the Datta Peetha Bababudangiri Dargah dispute, currently pending before the Supreme Court.

During the meeting, opinions and suggestions from the representatives, religious leaders, and leaders of various organisations from Chikkamagaluru were taken.

Minister Parameshwara declared that the issue required a permanent resolution with proper documentation of all relevant records. The government has decided to address this matter promptly to maintain peace and harmony in Karnataka.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Home Minister stated, “The Datta Peetha Bababudangiri Dargah, located on the Chandra Drona Hill in Karnataka, has been a symbol of religious harmony. While peaceful religious events took place here until 1975, subsequent years have seen disputes and controversies.”

“The government has made several attempts to resolve this issue. We have seen both Hindu and Muslim communities take the matter to court. Committees and cabinet sub-committees were formed to examine records and present them before the court. Some individuals have now taken the issue to the Supreme Court,” he explained.

“Our government is determined to resolve the Datta Peetha Bababudangiri Dargah dispute permanently. The cabinet sub-committee formed under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already held four meetings and reviewed numerous documents. On January 7, the Supreme Court directed the government to submit its opinion by March 24.

“In light of this, we consulted with representatives and religious leaders from Chikkamagaluru to gather their opinions and suggestions. Next week, the cabinet sub-committee will convene to review the inputs and documentation. We will submit the required information to the court, and further actions will be taken based on the court’s decision,” he stated.

The meeting was attended by Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Energy Minister K.J. George, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Housing and Waqf Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, MP Kota Srinivas Poojari, MLAs H.D. Thammaiah, Nayana Motamma, MLC C.T. Ravi, religious leaders, and officials from Chikkamagaluru district.

The controversial site was often referred to as Karnataka’s ‘Ayodhya’. Though the shrine symbolized the harmony of Hindus and Muslims, it has become a centre of crisis and struggle for over three decades.

Datta Peetha, the shrine in Chikkamagaluru has been a pilgrimage spot for both Hindus and Muslims. The BJP, however, is demanding that the site be declared a Hindu temple.

Before 1964, the shrine was revered by both Hindus and Muslims. It symbolised Sufi culture and the unity of Hindu and Islam cultures. The shrine was known as Shree Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swamy Dargah. What was a pilgrimage spot for the two faiths has become a disputed site between Hindus and Muslims.

Hindus consider the hill to be the final resting place of Dattatreya, the Muslims believe the dargah is one of the earliest centres of Sufism in south India. They believe that Sufi saint Dada Hayat Mirkalandar has lived there for years.

Irrespective of the controversy, the local coffee planters before the harvest visit the shrine and offer worship. Fakir Bababudan, a Sufi saint of the 17th century from Yemen, who settled at the shrine, is credited with planting the first coffee seeds in the Indian sub-continent.

Crime

Suspicious passenger apprehended at Delhi Jama Masjid Metro Station after trying to flee during screening

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Alert personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) apprehended a passenger at Delhi’s Jama Masjid Metro Station after he allegedly attempted to flee when a suspicious object was detected during his baggage screening.

According to the CISF, the incident came to light when the passenger’s baggage was being screened through an X-ray Baggage Inspection System (XBIS). During the examination, personnel noticed a dense and suspicious object on the scanner screen.

Sensing something unusual, the security personnel attempted to examine the matter further. However, the passenger allegedly tried to escape from the screening area, according to CISF.

Displaying promptness and alertness, CISF personnel immediately chased him and apprehended him near the station’s exit gate before he could leave the premises.

A subsequent examination of his belongings led to the recovery of an unidentified semi-solid substance concealed inside a stitched portion of his undergarment, the CISF said.

According to reports, the passenger reportedly claimed to be a non-resident Indian (NRI) residing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Following the recovery, the CISF handed over the passenger, along with his belongings and the suspected substance, to the police for further investigation.

The nature of the semi-solid substance and the reason behind its concealment remain unclear. Police are investigating the matter to establish the identity of the substance and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The CISF’s swift intervention prevented the passenger from leaving the station without further examination.

The force said its personnel remain alert during the screening of passengers and their baggage to ensure compliance with security protocols and prevent any potential threat to metro commuters. Further action in the case will depend on the findings of the investigation, said the police officials.

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Crime

Bihar MLC election: Three FIRs filed against Anant Singh, Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh

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Amid campaigning for the biennial elections for eight MLC seats on October 23 in Bihar, police have registered three FIRs in connection with alleged violation of election rules during a roadshow in the Mokama Assembly constituency of Patna district.

The roadshow was held on Sunday. The cases have been registered against local MLA Anant Singh and Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh, according to police sources.

Of the three cases, two were registered at Barh police station and one at Mokama police station in Patna district.

The police are investigating the alleged violations and examining the circumstances surrounding the roadshow.

According to police sources, the action followed complaints of violations of the Model Code of Conduct and other applicable regulations during the Member of Legislative Council (MLC) election-related event.

The allegations concern compliance with rules governing political roadshows and public campaigning.

However, the specific allegations against each leader and the legal sections invoked in the FIRs have not yet been independently confirmed.

The registration of the cases has triggered political discussions in the Mokama and Barh areas, where election-related activities have intensified.

During the MLC election period, candidates and political parties are required to comply with the Model Code of Conduct and applicable rules governing public meetings, roadshows, permissions and traffic management.

Authorities can initiate legal action when alleged violations are reported.

However, the filing of an FIR does not establish guilt. The allegations against Anant Singh and Anuj Singh will be subject to investigation and the due process of law.

Police said further action would be taken on the basis of the evidence collected and the findings of the investigation.

Additional details are awaited.

Anant Singh, the JD(U) MLA from Mokama in Patna district, has openly extended his support to Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh and is campaigning against his own party’s official nominee, Neeraj Kumar, in the upcoming MLC election.

Anant Singh said his decision to support Anuj Singh stemmed from a personal dispute with Neeraj Kumar. He clarified that his move had nothing to do with his political relationship with the JD(U).

The election for eight Legislative Council seats is scheduled to be held on October 23, with counting of votes and announcement of results set for October 27.

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‘Owaisi, BJP are twins’: Congress MP accuses AIMIM chief of splitting Oppn votes

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Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Monday hit back at AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi over his recent remarks, accusing him of acting as an agent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Tiwari claimed that election results demonstrated how Owaisi’s party had contributed to splitting minority votes, prompting him to describe the AIMIM chief and the BJP as “twin brothers”.

The exchange comes amid political preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, with parties sharpening their positions and trading allegations ahead of the electoral contest.

Addressing a gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, Owaisi had declared that he would “never make a Nehru, a Gandhi, or a Yadav” his leader. He also stressed the need to provide greater opportunities to young people from the Muslim community.

“Muslim youth have as much potential as people from other communities… However, they are not given a platform,” Owaisi had said, adding that the AIMIM would provide them with opportunities to move forward.

Responding to the AIMIM chief’s remarks, Congress MP Tiwari accused him of working to divide opposition votes in favour of the BJP.

Speaking to media, Tiwari said, “What standing does Owaisi have to even suggest someone like a Gandhi or a Nehru? His sole function, whether intentional or otherwise, is to divide the minority vote at the behest of the BJP. I can say with full confidence that this individual works for the BJP, as evidenced by election outcomes.”

Tiwari further cited electoral results in Maharashtra and Bihar to support his allegations, claiming that the AIMIM’s electoral performance had helped the BJP and its allies by splitting votes that could otherwise have benefited other candidates.

“In Maharashtra, while his party won four seats, it also caused other candidates to lose in 22 constituencies by splitting the vote, ultimately paving the way for a BJP-led government. He did something similar in Bihar … The results clearly show that he operates as an agent for the BJP. Owaisi and the BJP are twin brothers,” he added.

This comes as political parties begin gearing up for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Tiwari also commented on the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

He argued that protecting citizens’ voting rights was essential and called for a change in government through the democratic process.

“The government in the country must be changed. The nation’s economic situation and foreign policy have both failed. The public wants relief from inflation and unemployment, and a change in government is essential to safeguard the right to vote. We want to change the government democratically through elections, and for that right to vote must be safeguarded,” Tiwari said.

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