Karnataka High Court has given an important decision on Wednesday (February 11, 2026). The court has given permission to worship the Shivalinga present in a dargah located in Aland Town in Kalaburagi district on Mahashivratri. Hearing the petition of Siddha Ramaiah Hiremath, the court, on the lines of last year, has allowed limited number of devotees to perform puja on Sunday (February 15) this year too.

The Dargah Committee had approached the Supreme Court demanding that Hindu organizations not be allowed to perform the puja. However, the bench led by the Chief Justice refused to hear it saying that if every such case starts going directly to the Supreme Court for hearing, then the message will be sent that the High Courts of the country have become irrelevant.

Dargah Committee made allegations in the petition

The Dargah Committee had alleged in its petition that a planned attempt is being made to change the nature of religious places through interim orders. Actually, the center of controversy is the site associated with 14th century Sufi saint Hazrat Sheikh Alauddin Ansari (Laadle Mashaiq) and 15th century Hindu saint Raghav Chaitanya. The remains of both the saints are said to be in this complex. A structure called Raghav Chaitanya Shivalinga is also present here.

Controversy had increased regarding worship in 2022

It is said that earlier people from both Hindu and Muslim communities used to worship at this place. However, tension regarding worship rights increased in 2022, when an incident of alleged desecration of Shivalinga by some anti-social elements came to light.

Even in February 2025, the High Court had given permission to 15 Hindu devotees to worship on Shivratri amid heavy security arrangements. During this time the rituals were conducted peacefully. This year also, on the lines of earlier order, the court has given permission for worship to a limited number of devotees.