Bengaluru: The state government has made it clear in the state High Court that there is no change in the cabinet decision taken when Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister with regard to the rituals to be followed at the holy shrine of Shree Guru Dattatreya Bababudan Swamy Dargah in Bababudangiri Hills of Chikkamagaluru district.

In response to a writ petition filed by a devotee with the High Court seeking directions to the state government on the appointment of a Hindu priest to the shrine, the government informed the high court that Mujawar appointed by the Shah Khadri (hereditary administrator) only will be allowed to perform puja in the shrine.

It can be recalled that the state government, through its order dated March 19, which is published in the state Gazette dated May 10, 2018, has restored all the practices followed at the Shree Guru Dattatreya Baba Budan Swamy Dargah as on 15, August 1947 (on Independence Day). As per the government order, at this shrine practices followed by both Hindu and Muslim devotees as on August 15, 1947, will be continued. But only Mujawar will be allowed to perform the puja. But the shrine will be under the control of the Muzrai department.