Datta peeta in Chikmagalur district (Karnataka) and its 'Islamisation'

Following are the excerpts of speech of Shri. Pramod Mutalik, Founder of Sriram Sene on Datta peeta in 2012

After Tipu Sultan taking over the State of Mysore, ‘Datta peeta’ was totally ‘Islamized’ !

There is a place called ‘Datta peeta’ about 30 kms away from Chikmangalur District in Karnataka where there is a mountain of 4000 feet height. There is a cave on this mountain. Dattatreya Swami did penance in this cave which is known as ‘Datta peeta’. When Tipu Sultan took over the State of Mysore, that time only, ‘Islamization’ of ‘Datta peeta’ took place. Tipu Sultan attacked/ encroached upon this place and built tombs and converted this place into a grave-yard. There were things like ‘Deep-stambha’, ‘Kamandalu’, ‘Paaduka’ etc. which have been removed from there and its name was changed to ‘Baba Budan’ by constructing a tomb. ‘Urus’ is celebrated here in Baba’s name and everything was ‘Islamized’.

Legend of ‘Sanjeevani’ Mountain (of ‘Chandra-drona’)

It is believed that when Marutiraya was carrying ‘Sanjeevani’ Mountain, a piece of that mountain fell down at this place. Fruits and medicines available on ‘Sanjeevani’ Mountain are also found on this mountain. This is a proof about the mountain being a piece of ‘Sanjeevani’ mountain. It is found in history or ‘Puranas’ that the mountain is known as ‘Chandra-drona’ Mountain.

Whole Karnataka State was shaken with the movement undertaken against ‘Islamization’ of ‘Datta peeta’; cases filed during the riots which took place during that period and awareness was created everywhere towards the issue due to this movement

In the year 1998, activists from Chikmangalur informed us about ‘Islamization’ of this holy place of Hindus. Since then, we have started the movement against this issue. From the year 2004, we took up the movement in a better manner and shook up the whole Karnataka. We took out ‘Ratha-yatra’. Riots took place during this period and cases were filed. Twenty cases have been filed against me in connection with riots that took place during ‘Datta peeta’ movement. So far 80 such cases have been filed against me and soon I will make a century ! ‘Datta peeta’ movement created awareness in all villages and BJP won 70 seats in the following State Assembly elections; out of which 32 seats were won only due to ‘Datta peeta’ movement.

What is the Bababudangiri/Dattatreya Peeta dispute all about?

In 1964, the area was allotted to the Waqf Board by the Karnataka government. “At the time, Lord Dattatreya’s paduka (feet) and nanda deepa (lamp) were returned by the Waqf Board to the Muzrai Department. Also, a dispute regarding the management of the shrine also arose. It was after this that the land dispute began,” said Dinesh Ulepadi, a lawyer and activist.

In 1978, Annappa Shetty, a local leader of Chikkamagaluru filed a case with the district court and claimed that the property belongs to the Hindus.

The district court’s judgement pronounced that the shrine is visited by both Hindus and Muslims, and ordered that the status quo be maintained.

In 1989, the Waqf Board appealed the district court’s judgement and moved the Karnataka High Court. The HC upheld the district court’s judgement and in 1991, the board filed a special leave petition with the Supreme Court.

Prior to 1986, a small group of people would trek up to the cave, where the shrine is located, to offer their prayers.

In 1986, the VHP organised a procession, where over 1000 people had participated.

In 1997, Bajarang Dal and VHP together began organising the procession and every year, over 20,000 devotees visit the shrine in December to observe Datta Jayanti.

The first incident of hoisting saffron flags was reported in December 1999 by Frontline Magazine. The report notes that Bajrang Dal had threatened to storm the shrine in order to “liberate” it of its Sufi heritage.

“On December 3, vehicles carrying young slogan-shouting men who sported saffron bandanas and neckscarves, arrived at the shrine, evoking memories of what happened in Ayodhya six years ago,” reports Parvathi Menon for Frontline.

Since then, VHP, Bajrang Dal and BJP leaders have repeatedly demanded that the shrine be declared a Hindu place of worship.

In 2008, the Supreme Court reiterated that the status quo should be maintained at the shrine in response to a plea by members of the Komu Souharda Vedike (Forum for Communal Harmony).

In 2015 the Supreme Court had disposed the case. At the time, the apex court had directed the Karnataka government to sort out the dispute. Following this directive, the state government formed a cabinet sub-committee headed by Law Minister TB Jayachandra later that year. The committee felt the need for an expert committee’s suggestions and this was conveyed to the state Cabinet. In 2017, the expert committee headed by Justice HN Nagamohan Das, retired High Court judge was formed.

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Karnataka government to decide “expeditiously” the issues pertaining to performance of religious activities at disputed cave shrine of Guru Dattatreya Bababudangiri swamy dargah in Chikkamagaluru.

Datta Peeta and Baba Budan Dargah separate as per records, says Karnataka BJP leader (A news from 2017)

CHIKKAMAGALURU: MLA and BJP leader C T Ravi told reporters that government records clearly state that Datta Peetha and Baba Budan Dargah are separate and the government should settle the Datta Peetha issue based upon these documents.

Even though the Supreme Court has directed the state government to settle the issue amicably, the latter has been dithering on the issue. Even after four months of appointing the Justice Nagmohan Committee, no action has been taken so far. “If we come to power, we will settle the dispute within three months though we are aware that people of the Muslim community will move court,” he added.

All you need to know about the issue

BJP leaders and Hindutva groups have been demanding that the controversial cave shrine atop Bababudangiri, near Chikkamagaluru, be declared a Hindu place of worship. To the north of Chikkamagaluru town is the Baba-Budan Range, which has one of the highest mountain peaks between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris. The range, originally known as Chandra Drona Parvatha, takes its current name from the Dattapeeta Cave and 17th century Sufi saint Baba Budan.

The saint took up residence here for more than 150 years ago and brought coffee seeds for the first time to India from Yemen.

The controversy was born in 1975 when the State government decided to transfer the shrine from the Muzrai Department to the Wakf Board. Till then, this had been a pilgrim place frequented by both Hindus and Muslims.
While Hindus treat it as the abode of Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudanswamy, Muslims consider it the place of Dada Hayat Mir Qualandar.

Some witness for Datta Peeta

1. RTC, Index of Lands, in the govt Record, the Datta Peeta and the Bababudan Dargah are listed as separate entities in the periodic survey settlement records.

2. It is mentioned that the Dattatreya Peetha is located at No.167 in the village of Hobali Inam Dattatreya Peetha in Chikkamagaluru district.its mentioned in Land records
Baba budan darga survey number shown in Nagenahalli separataly, 5 km from Datta Peeta. Survey no was 57

4. Along the way to the Dattatreya bench, the Department of Public Works has erected stone pillars indicating how far Sri Guru Dattatreya’Pheeta is. Of these there is no mention of the Bababudan Dargah.

4. Government Directorate of Religious Institution Number Book 1917 published in the Chikkamagaluru District by the Department of Muzarayi. According to a government letter, Page no 46 specifically mentioned as Sri Dattatreya Peetha.

Demands of Hindus

1.Although a Muzarai department commissioner has said that the appointment of Hindu priests in the Dattatam. But till today Hindu priests not appointed. Hindu priests should be appointed immediately. Trikala Pooja should be allowed in the Datta seat and the resignation of Muslim Mujawar appointed during the Congress

2. Hindu devotees should be allowed to carry poojas and respectfully perform rituals of worship.

3. The case of Datta Peetha should be settled immediately and the Datta Peetha should be declared as a Hindu Kshetra.

4 Baba Budan Dargah is mentioned in the Govt RTC documents separatly 5 km from Datta Peeta. Illigall islamic structure must be moved immediately.

5. The government should revert back to the Dattatreya deity and develop the Shri Kshetra. the basic facility should be developed there.

Datta peeta in Chikmagalur district (Karnataka) and its ‘Islamisation’

Following are the excerpts of speech of Shri. Pramod Mutalik, Founder of Sriram Sene on Datta peeta in 2012