Datta Jayanthi peaceful

The three-day Datta Jayanti celebrations, conducted by pro-Hindu organisations, ended peacefully at Sri Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swamy Dargah here on Saturday.

Hundreds of devotees took part in Datta Mala Abhiyana, conducted by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, and visited the cave shrine and had darshan of Datta Paduke.
Amidst tight security, the devotees offered ‘irumudi’ and had darshan of Datta Paduke.
Devotees from Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Hassan, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Madikeri, Kolar and Chitradurga had attended in a large number.

The devotees were seen standing in a queue for one and half kilometre.
Movement of vehicles were disrupted owing to the narrow road. After taking bath in Honnammana halla, the devotees moved to Datta peeta. MLAs C T Ravi, V Sunil Kumar, D N Jeevraj, MP Shobha Karandlaje, former MP Tejaswini and others participated.

Chikmagalur Deputy Commissioner had earlier announced that only those customs, rituals performed prior to 1975 would be allowed. The devotees conducted homas and religious meeting outside the purview of controversial site.

MLA C T Ravi said that all the court verdicts were in favour of the Hindus. “We are hopeful that the Supreme Court judgment will be in favour of Hindu devotees. The issue will come for hearing in next May.”

Speaking to Deccan Herald, he said “Hindu organisations need not be panic. The truth can be hidden for a few years. One can not hide truth completely. Dattapeeta Samvardana committee has been fighting for the cause for the last 41 years.”

He said “Advocate Nariman had argued in favour of Dattapeeta Samvardhana Samithi in 1998. As the issue came before the Nariman committee in the Supreme Court during last October, he did not wish to be part of it. As a result, the issue was shifted to other bench.”

“We do not wish to have conflict. We believe in harmony. However, a few are trying to project us as communal.”

He said that the struggle to declare the shrine as place of Hindu worship would continue till the demand was fulfilled. “If there are any one document with the government in favour of Muslims, then we are ready to leave Dattapeeta. We wants harmony in society. We will extend all support to conduct Uroos in Nagenahalli.”

MP Shobha Karandlaje said “Datta peeta is a holy place for Hindus. We hope that the Supreme Court will uphold the judgment of the lower courts.”