Datta Peetha Shrine Dispute : Supreme Court Grants 2 Months Time To Karnataka Govt For Decision On Worship Rights Of Hindus & Muslims

The Supreme Court today (January 7) granted a last opportunity for the State of Karnataka to take a decision on the worship rights at the holy shrine Datta Peetha of Bababudangiri in Chikkamagaluru district, which is worshipped by both Hindu and Muslim communities.

The Court has now granted the last opportunity to the government to come up with its decision within 8 weeks, "failing which the respondent state of Karnataka would be liable to pay costs as would be determined by the Court." 

The bench of CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan was hearing the challenge to the Karnataka High Court decision, which quashed the State's decision taken in March 2018 to permit only a Mujawar (Muslim Priest) to perform the rituals at the Datta Peeta.

The impugned order passed by the High Court division bench of Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Vijaykumar A Patil dismissed the appeals challenging the order of a single bench which set aside the state government's decision citing "flagrant violation of rights of both communities guaranteed by Article 25 of the Constitution of India." 

Today, during the hearing, the Counsel for the state informed the bench that : 

"As far as the shrine is (concerned), the Hindus are being led by a Hindu Pujari and the Muslims are concerned, there is a mujawar that is taking care of the Muslim rituals."  

Considering the sensitivity of the matter, the CJI extended the time for the State Government to review its decision and submit the same to the Court. 

"Whatever it is, some decisions are difficult, we are not saying they aren't difficult.....we extend the time for taking a decision in terms of Order dated 25th of January, 2024" 

Notably, as per the order of 25 January 2024, the Karnataka Government was given time to submit a report/decision on the present issue. The said order recorded: "it is submitted on behalf of the State of Karnataka that a Cabinet Sub Committee has been constituted and they are deliberating on dispute forming the core of the present special leave petition." 

The matter will now be heard in March 2025. 

Case Details : SYED GHOUSE MOHIYUDDIN SHAKHADRI Versus THE STATE OF KARNATAKA AND ORS.|SLP(C) No. 10131/2023