{"id":3683,"date":"2025-04-03T12:08:06","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T06:38:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=3683"},"modified":"2025-04-03T23:05:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T17:35:04","slug":"bababudangiri-dargah-has-congress-aligned-with-right-wing-groups-prof-shiva-sundar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/?p=3683","title":{"rendered":"Bababudangiri Dargah: Has Congress Aligned with Right-Wing Groups? Prof. Shiva Sundar"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bababudangiri Dispute: Congress Accused of Joining Hands with RSS, Right-Wing Forces?\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

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“\u0cac\u0cbe\u0cac\u0cbe\u0cac\u0cc1\u0ca1\u0ca8\u0ccd \u0ca6\u0cb0\u0ccd\u0c97\u0cbe \u0cb8\u0c82\u0c98\u0cbf\u0c97\u0cb3 \u0c9c\u0cca\u0ca4\u0cc6 \u0c95\u0cc8\u0c97\u0cc2\u0ca1\u0cbf\u0cb8\u0cbf\u0ca6 \u0c95\u0cbe\u0c82\u0c97\u0ccd\u0cb0\u0cc6\u0cb8\u0ccd…” \u0caa\u0ccd\u0cb0\u0cca. \u0cb6\u0cbf\u0cb5 \u0cb8\u0cc1\u0c82\u0ca6\u0cb0\u0ccd<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Congress Backtracks on Secular Promises<\/h2>\n

In the 2023 elections, Karnataka’s Dalit and marginalized communities largely backed the Congress, hoping the party would counter the Hindutva-driven policies of the previous BJP government. However, Congress has seemingly abandoned those commitments, particularly regarding the Bababudangiri Dargah issue, where it has aligned with right-wing forces, disregarding the region’s tradition of communal harmony.<\/p>\n

BJP\u2019s Communal Policies and Court Battles<\/h2>\n

The previous BJP government attempted to alter the status of Bababudangiri Dargah, historically a shared religious site for Hindus and Muslims. Despite evidence from religious custodians, progressive leaders, and devotees proving its status as a dargah, the BJP government ignored historical records and appointed a Hindu priest to the shrine, violating the Places of Worship Act (1991)<\/em> enacted by the Congress itself.<\/p>\n

This decision was legally challenged by the shrine\u2019s custodian, Shakhadri, in the Karnataka High Court in 2022. However, the court upheld the BJP government\u2019s order in 2023. Subsequently, Shakhadri took the case to the Supreme Court in June 2023.<\/p>\n

Congress Government\u2019s Inaction and Legal Maneuvering<\/h2>\n

When Congress assumed power in May 2023 under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, there were expectations of policy reversals. However, the government delayed its response when the Supreme Court sought Karnataka\u2019s opinion in January 2024. Under the guise of awaiting parliamentary elections, Congress postponed its affidavit, drawing criticism from activists.<\/p>\n

In January 2025, when Shakhadri filed a contempt petition, the Supreme Court issued a warning: if the Karnataka government failed to respond within eight weeks, it would face penalties. Congress had a clear legal precedent from its own 2017 decision that upheld the dargah’s historical status. Instead of reaffirming it, Home Minister Parameshwara formed a new cabinet sub-committee, reopening discussions and allowing the BJP to reassert its claims over the shrine.<\/p>\n

Despite strong opposition from the Communal Harmony Forum, which presented documentary evidence countering BJP\u2019s claims, Congress ultimately submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court on March 26, 2025, endorsing the appointment of a Hindu priest and creating a management committee led by the District Collector, ensuring equal representation from both communities. Shakhadri was relegated to a mere permanent member. This mirrored the BJP\u2019s 2022 policy, effectively legitimizing their communal agenda.<\/p>\n

The Larger Battle Over Karnataka\u2019s Cultural Identity<\/h2>\n

The Congress\u2019s failure to challenge Hindutva narratives reflects a broader struggle. Unlike the BJP-RSS, which systematically integrates cultural and religious identity into its politics, opposition parties, including Congress, lack a coherent ideological response. The BJP\u2019s strategic use of communal narratives has successfully drawn public support, even among economically struggling groups, reinforcing their electoral dominance.<\/p>\n

Bababudangiri is just one example of this trend. The region, once a stronghold of secular and leftist movements, has witnessed the systematic spread of right-wing ideology. The Congress\u2019s reluctance to counter this shift has only strengthened the BJP\u2019s position.<\/p>\n

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The Historical Context of Bababudangiri Dargah<\/h2>\n

Bababudangiri, a centuries-old shrine in Chikkamagaluru, has long been a shared spiritual space for Hindus and Muslims. Historical records indicate that up to 1975, the site faced no disputes. Government records from 1904-05 show that out of 9,788 pilgrims visiting the site, 8,200 were Muslims, while only 638 were Hindus, with just 83 Brahmins.<\/p>\n

The shrine is dedicated to the Sufi saint Dada Hayath Meer Khalandar, and for generations, a Muslim Mujawar<\/em> appointed by the Shakhadri has overseen religious rituals. The tradition of both communities offering prayers in the form of Chirag<\/em> (oil lamps) and Chadar<\/em> (cloth offerings) has been preserved at the site, similar to practices observed in other dargahs across South Asia.<\/p>\n

However, in 1975, the Karnataka government classified the shrine as Wakf property, leading to legal disputes. The initial petitions from Hindu devotees were limited to ensuring their access to the shrine rather than seeking the appointment of a Hindu priest. It was only between 1975 and 2003 that the right-wing groups systematically spread misinformation, fabricating a new history to claim that the shrine was originally a Hindu temple forcibly converted by Tipu Sultan.<\/p>\n

Congress\u2019s Role in Hindutva\u2019s Expansion<\/h2>\n

In 1992, amid the Babri Masjid demolition, the VHP pushed for the recognition of Bababudangiri as Dattapeetha<\/em>. Despite court rulings confirming the shrine\u2019s dargah status, the Congress government allowed the first-ever Dattatreya Jayanti celebration in December 1992, providing official legitimacy to the VHP\u2019s false claims.<\/p>\n

Subsequent Congress-led administrations continued to compromise. In 1999, the government formalized the event by appointing a district administration-led committee, further institutionalizing the VHP’s religious narrative. The region, once a secular bastion, became a breeding ground for Hindutva politics.<\/p>\n

Judiciary and Bureaucracy\u2019s Role in Communal Polarization<\/h2>\n

In 2003, a petition was filed in the Karnataka High Court demanding the appointment of a Hindu priest. The petitioners presented no historical evidence, relying solely on an administrative report from 1988, authored by a deputy commissioner based on an oral statement from a VHP-affiliated lawyer.<\/p>\n

Despite this lack of evidence, the Karnataka High Court ruled in favor of appointing a Hindu priest in 2007. A subsequent challenge in the Supreme Court remained undecided. By 2015, amid rising right-wing influence, Justices Ranjan Gogoi and NV Ramana directed the Karnataka government to decide the matter.<\/p>\n

The 2017 Congress government, following an expert committee\u2019s recommendations, reaffirmed the shrine\u2019s dargah status. However, with the BJP\u2019s return to power in 2019 through Operation Kamala<\/em>, the state stopped defending this decision in court. In 2021, following the controversial Ayodhya verdict, the Karnataka High Court ruled that since the majority believed the site was a Hindu shrine, a Hindu priest should be appointed.<\/p>\n

Congress\u2019s Continued Complicity<\/h2>\n

Despite Congress\u2019s historical role in opposing Hindutva, its recent actions have once again legitimized right-wing claims. The party\u2019s failure to take a principled stand has reinforced the BJP\u2019s communal agenda, undermining Karnataka\u2019s legacy of pluralism.<\/p>\n

Bababudangiri\u2019s transformation from a shared religious space into a site of sectarian conflict highlights a larger national trend. The Congress\u2019s reluctance to challenge this shift politically, legally, and ideologically has allowed the BJP to cement its Hindutva agenda, reshaping Karnataka\u2019s social and political landscape for generations to come.<\/p>\n

Short Summary:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The Congress government’s recent handling of the Baba Budan Dargah dispute has sparked controversy. Accusations of political appeasement and inconsistent secularism have surfaced, with critics pointing to the party\u2019s selective stance on religious issues. The decision\u2014or lack thereof\u2014has fueled tensions between communities, raising concerns about electoral motivations overriding historical and cultural sensitivities.<\/p>\n

Context & Background:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Baba Budan Dargah in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, has been a point of contention for decades. A revered Sufi shrine, it is claimed by both Hindus and Muslims, leading to legal and political battles over its administration and rituals. The Congress government\u2019s ambiguous position on the matter has invited criticism from multiple fronts, with allegations of favoring vote-bank politics instead of upholding a clear, fair policy.<\/p>\n

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Key Quotes:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • \n

    \u201cCongress\u2019s doublespeak on secularism is exposed yet again. Why the hesitation in making a clear decision?\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Political Analyst<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    \u201cWe have always respected the sentiments of all communities. The matter is complex, and we are handling it sensitively.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Congress Leader<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    \u201cIf BJP takes a stand, it\u2019s communal; if Congress does nothing, it\u2019s secular? Hypocrisy at its peak.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Social Media Commentator<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    \u201cHistory and faith should not be tools for electoral gains. Baba Budan Dargah deserves a just resolution.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Historian<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    \u201cA government that hesitates to take a decision today will pay the price at the ballot box tomorrow.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Opposition Leader<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \n

    Q & A:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

    Q: What is the controversy surrounding Baba Budan Dargah?<\/strong>
    A: It is a centuries-old Sufi shrine where both Hindus and Muslims hold religious claims. The dispute revolves around its management and the nature of rituals performed there.<\/p>\n

    Q: Why is Congress being criticized?<\/strong>
    A: The party is accused of avoiding a clear decision to appease different voter blocs, thus fueling tensions instead of resolving the issue.<\/p>\n

    Q: How has the opposition reacted?<\/strong>
    A: BJP and right-wing groups have accused Congress of hypocrisy, claiming it applies double standards to Hindu and Muslim religious matters.<\/p>\n

    Q: What impact could this have on upcoming elections?<\/strong>
    A: The controversy could influence Karnataka\u2019s political landscape, with Congress facing backlash for perceived inaction while BJP attempts to capitalize on the issue.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Timeline of Events, Political Reactions, and Legal Aspects of the Baba Budan Dargah Dispute<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

    \ud83d\udccc Historical Background<\/strong><\/h4>\n
      \n
    • \n

      16th Century:<\/strong> Sufi saint Baba Budan is believed to have brought coffee to India from Yemen and settled in the Chikkamagaluru hills, where a shrine was built in his honor.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      18th Century:<\/strong> The site became a place of worship for both Hindus and Muslims, with differing religious narratives emerging over time.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f Timeline of Key Events<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

      \ud83d\udd39 1950s-60s:<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        The shrine, locally known as Dattatreya Peetha, saw increasing claims from Hindu groups who asserted that it was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Dattatreya.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        \ud83d\udd39 1975:<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • \n

          Karnataka government issues a notification recognizing the shrine as a \u201cWakf property,\u201d fueling controversy.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          \ud83d\udd39 1980s-90s:<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • \n

            Right-wing Hindu organizations intensify demands to reclaim the site as a Hindu temple, while Muslim groups and Sufi followers oppose any change.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            \ud83d\udd39 2008:<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            • \n

              The Karnataka High Court directs the state government to resolve the dispute and decide on the nature of worship at the site.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              \ud83d\udd39 2011:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                \n
              • \n

                The BJP-led Karnataka government forms a panel that recommends the site be declared a Hindu shrine, sparking further tensions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                \ud83d\udd39 2016:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • \n

                  The Karnataka High Court upholds the government\u2019s power to regulate religious practices at the site but refrains from declaring its religious identity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  \ud83d\udd39 2021:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • \n

                    The Supreme Court of India refuses to intervene and leaves the decision to the state government.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    \ud83d\udd39 2023:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • \n

                      The Congress party comes to power in Karnataka and puts the issue on hold, avoiding a clear stance.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      \ud83d\udd39 2024-2025:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • \n

                        Protests erupt as Hindu and Muslim groups demand clarity. Congress is accused of delaying a decision to appease all sides ahead of elections.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        \n

                        \u2696\ufe0f Legal & Administrative Aspects<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                          \n
                        • \n

                          Government Control:<\/strong> The Karnataka government has the authority to regulate religious practices at the shrine, but it has avoided taking a firm decision.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                        • \n

                          High Court\u2019s Role:<\/strong> The Karnataka High Court has upheld the government\u2019s power to make a decision but has not ruled on the religious identity of the shrine.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                        • \n

                          Supreme Court Stance:<\/strong> The Supreme Court has declined to intervene, leaving the matter to state authorities.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                        • \n

                          Wakf Board vs. Hindu Groups:<\/strong> The Wakf Board maintains that it is a Muslim shrine, while Hindu organizations continue to demand its recognition as a Hindu temple.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          \n

                          \ud83d\uddf3\ufe0f Political Reactions<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                          Ruling Congress Government (2023-Present)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

                          \u2705 Avoiding direct action<\/strong> to prevent backlash from either community.
                          \u2705 Accused of delaying<\/strong> a decision for political convenience.
                          \u2705 Emphasizing secularism<\/strong> and social harmony in public statements.<\/p>\n

                          Opposition BJP<\/strong><\/h4>\n

                          \u274c Criticizes Congress<\/strong> for its indecisiveness and \u201cvote bank politics.\u201d
                          \u274c Calls for recognition<\/strong> of the site as a Hindu temple.
                          \u274c Accuses Congress<\/strong> of appeasing minorities at the cost of Hindu sentiments.<\/p>\n

                          Opposition JD(S)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

                          \ud83d\udd38 Takes a neutral stance<\/strong> but demands a resolution to prevent communal tensions.
                          \ud83d\udd38 Calls for a \u201cpeople\u2019s decision\u201d<\/strong> based on historical and legal evidence.<\/p>\n

                          \n

                          \n

                          <\/div>\n

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                          <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                          Bababudangiri Dispute: Congress Accused of Joining Hands with RSS, Right-Wing Forces?\u00a0 “\u0cac\u0cbe\u0cac\u0cbe\u0cac\u0cc1\u0ca1\u0ca8\u0ccd \u0ca6\u0cb0\u0ccd\u0c97\u0cbe \u0cb8\u0c82\u0c98\u0cbf\u0c97\u0cb3 \u0c9c\u0cca\u0ca4\u0cc6 \u0c95\u0cc8\u0c97\u0cc2\u0ca1\u0cbf\u0cb8\u0cbf\u0ca6 \u0c95\u0cbe\u0c82\u0c97\u0ccd\u0cb0\u0cc6\u0cb8\u0ccd…” \u0caa\u0ccd\u0cb0\u0cca. \u0cb6\u0cbf\u0cb5 \u0cb8\u0cc1\u0c82\u0ca6\u0cb0\u0ccd Congress Backtracks on Secular Promises In the 2023 elections, Karnataka’s Dalit and marginalized communities largely backed the Congress, hoping the party would counter the Hindutva-driven policies of the previous BJP government. However, Congress has seemingly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3684,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66,255,96],"tags":[633,632,73,101,137,636,261,634,635,74,631,271],"class_list":["post-3683","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-karnataka","category-opinions","category-politics","tag-baba-budan","tag-bababudangiri","tag-bengaluru","tag-bjp","tag-congress","tag-hinduism","tag-hindutva","tag-hindutvas","tag-islam","tag-karnataka","tag-right-wing","tag-rss"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3683","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3683"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3683\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3714,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3683\/revisions\/3714"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3684"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3683"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3683"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/belgaumnow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3683"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}