ADGP Alok Kumar leads route march in Aland ahead of Shivarathri celebration

KALABURAGI: With a tribunal allowing worship of the ancient Raghava Chaitanya Shivalinga at the Ladle Mashak dargah at Aland on the occasion of Mahashivarathri, the police, led by ADGP Alok Kumar, on Thursday staged a route march in the town near the dargah.

The police held a route march near the dargah to ensure maintenance of law and order.

Over 500 police personnel and Home Guards took part in the route march to ensure maintainance of law and order on Saturday (February 18) when Mahashivarathri is celebrated. The precautionary measure comes in the wake of violence that broke out last year during the celebrations. Incidentally, Mahashivarathri celebrations and the Ladle Mashak dargah Urus are held on the same day.

The Ladle Mashak dargah in Aland is a disputed structure.

A few days ago, the Wakf Tribunal allowed Sri Rama Sene state president Siddalinga Swami and 14 others to offer prayers at the Raghava Chaitanya Shivalinga temple in the dargah complex on the occasion of Mahashivarathri. As per the decision, the Ladle Mashak dargah Urus will be allowed between 8 am and 2 pm and the Raghava Chaitanya Shivalinga puja will be allowed from 2 pm to 6 pm on February 18.

The police are taking precautionary measures this year.

Last year, stones were thrown at Union Minister Bhagawant Khubha and the district deputy commissioner’s cars from the dargah premises after they entered the premises to offer prayers at the Raghava Chaitanya Shivalinga temple.