Aland Ladle Mashak Dargah row Hindu leaders allege change in Shivlinga structure after Maha Shivaratri Puja

Kalaburagi, : The long-standing dispute surrounding the Ladle Mashak Dargah in Aland town of Kalaburagi district has once again come into national focus following fresh allegations over the alleged alteration of a Shivlinga housed within the shrine premises. The site, often compared in public discourse to the Gyanvapi Mosque dispute, witnessed heightened tension on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.

Acting on permission granted by the Karnataka High Court, a group of 14 Hindu leaders entered the dargah under tight police security and performed पूजा to the Sri Raghava Chaitanya Shivlinga between 2 pm and 8 pm. The delegation included Andola Siddalinga Swamiji, BJP leader Harshanand Guthedar and petitioner Sidramayya Hiremath, among others. The group conducted rituals such as jalabhisheka, offering of bilva leaves and panchamruta for nearly 50 minutes before exiting the premises.

However, shortly after the पूजा, petitioner Sidramayya Hiremath alleged that the structure and shape of the Shivlinga appeared to have changed. He claimed that certain modifications and cleaning activities were carried out without informing Hindu representatives and demanded a formal investigation into the matter. The allegation has triggered intense debate in the region.

Harshanand Guthedar also levelled serious accusations, alleging that Hindu religious rights were being suppressed and recalling previous tensions in 2022 when attempts were made to perform rituals at the site.

To prevent any untoward incidents, elaborate security arrangements were put in place under the supervision of senior police officials. Section 144 was imposed in Aland town, with over 1,500 police personnel, including KSRP and DAR units, deployed. More than 40 CCTV cameras and advanced drone surveillance systems monitored the area, and checkpoints were set up at key entry points to the town.

Meanwhile, protests were also reported in Kalaburagi demanding permission for पूजा at another disputed Shivlinga site inside the Bahmani fort complex. Police detained several activists as a precautionary measure.