January 8, 2025: The Supreme Court has put the Karnataka government on notice, urging swift action to resolve the long-standing dispute over worship rights at the Chikkamagaluru shrine, a site of shared religious significance for Hindus and Muslims.
The apex court has granted the state an additional eight weeks to finalize its stance on the issue, marking this as the "last opportunity" to address the matter. The shrine, known as Guru Dattatreya Baba Budangiri Swamy Dargah or Datta Peeta, has become a focal point of tension between the two communities, both of which claim rights to perform rituals there.
The site, revered by thousands of devotees annually, accommodates both Hindu and Muslim traditions. A Hindu priest (Pujari) conducts Hindu ceremonies, while a Mujawar oversees Muslim rituals. Despite this shared practice, the shrine’s dual religious identity has been a source of conflict, with some groups asserting that it was historically a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Dattatreya.
The controversy gained momentum after the Karnataka High Court, in March 2023, overturned the state government’s decision to restrict ritual rights solely to a Mujawar. This ruling intensified the debate, prompting the government to form a cabinet sub-committee to explore a resolution. However, the committee's prolonged deliberations have yet to yield results, drawing the Supreme Court's ire.
In its directive, the Supreme Court emphasized the need for a timely resolution, pointing to the sensitive nature of the issue and its potential impact on communal harmony. The court’s intervention reflects its growing impatience with the state government’s delayed response, which has failed to quell tensions at the shrine.
The Chikkamagaluru shrine dispute underscores broader challenges in navigating India’s intricate religious dynamics, where shared spaces often become flashpoints for identity and tradition. As the deadline looms, the Karnataka government faces mounting pressure to balance competing claims while maintaining peace in the region.