The BJP has opposed the Justice Nagamohan Das Committee report on the Bababudangiri issue. Terming the report, and the government’s acceptance of it, “a continuation of minority appeasement”, the BJP has threatened to launch a “Sankalpa Yatra” to fight for Datta Peetha across the State, besides challenging it before the Supreme Court.
By accepting the report submitted by an expert committee headed by Justice Nagamohan Das on Saturday, the State government confirmed that the cave shrine would retain its syncretic nature as a dargah venerated by both Hindus and Muslims.
BJP general secretary C.T. Ravi, who is leading the Datta Peetha movement in Chikkamagaluru district, alleged that the government was misleading the public by portraying it as a “pro-Hindu” decision.
He claimed that the title of the property was already settled in favour of the Muzrai Department in the Supreme Court, and the committee had no role in deciding it. “The committee should have gone into the modalities of poua and other rituals to be conducted at the shrine. We have been demanding for four decades that Hindu priests be appointed. But the report lets mujawars to continue worship. How can mujawars conduct puja on a Muzarai property?” he asked.
He alleged that Justice Nagamohan Das had acted “like a left-wing activist” and given a report in favour of the Congress.
