Devotees have darshan of Dattapeetha; 50 activists arrested

Chikmagalur, Karnataka, Dec 2 (UNI) Hundreds of devotees had darshan of the holy 'Padukas' of Lord Datta at the controversial hill shrine in Bababudanagiri in the district amidst tight security, even as the police arrested over 50 activists of the 'Komu Sowharda Vedike', led by social activist and journalist Gowri Lankesh, here today.

According to district police sources, over 2,500 saffron-clad devotees who lined up in the early hours in large numbers were allowed to have darshan individually. No untoward incident was reported during the event.

The sources said the darshan was allowed inside the cave shrine without violating any High Court directions.

Earlier, police arrested over 50 activists of the Karnataka Komu Sowharda Vedike when they attempted to take out a procession in the city in protest against the district administration according permission to the Bajrang Dal and VHP to conduct Shobha Yatra.

The district administration had given conditional permission to hold 'Shobha Yatra' in the city, but not allowed to conduct any homa inside the shrine.

The BJP and Sangh Parivar organisations were all set to take out Shobha Yatra in the city. After banning the Yatra last month, the district administration had given permission this time with certain conditions like restricting participants in the yatra to only 2,500 peple and holding it in a peaceful manner without hurting the sentiments of people belonging to other religions.

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