After the controversy over Jamia Masjid in Mandya district, Srirangapatna town and Malali Masjid near Mangaluru city, a new row has started in connection with ‘Peer Pasha Dargah’ near Bidar’s Basavakalyan town in Karnataka.
Veerashaiva-Lingayat seers have claimed that the first parliament of the world — “Anubhava Mantapa” — was allegedly demolished and a dargah was built over it.
The seers met Chief Minister Bommai at his residence along with Basavakalyan BJP MLA, Sharanu Salagar and demanded a survey of the Dargah, claiming that the structure is standing upon the “Anubhava Mantapa”, a parliament-like structure founded by Basaveshwara, IANS reported.
They alleged the supposed ‘Parliament’ was razed down to construct a dargah during the reign of the Nawabs in Karnataka.
Memorandum submitted by the seers claimed that they have confirmed the truth about the dargah through local sources and also got documents to prove their claims.
A few Lingayat seers, however, have objected to claims regarding the “Anubhava Mantapa”.
On Monday, Bommai told reporters that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is going to verify the truth regarding claims of Peer Pasha Dargah built over at the “Anubhava Mantapa” site.
“Seers have demanded to conduct a research on Peer Pasha Dargah. They have also provided documents in this connection which are going to be verified by the ASI,” he added.
This comes in the backdrop of several right-wing groups claiming that several Muslim places of worship were built after razing ancient Hindu temples.
As per reports, any development in this matter is likely to create unrest in Karnataka with the Jamia Masjid and Malali Masjid row already in line.
Peer Pasha Dargah located in Basavakalyan town is the birthplace of social reformer Basaveshwara. In the 12th century, Basaveshwara created a social revolution and founded the Lingayat sect.
In 2021, the Karnataka BJP government had announced the building of the magnificent “Anubhava Mantapa” in Basavakalyan at a cost of Rs 200 crore but the project cost has been increased to Rs 532 crore now.
Former CM B.S. Yediyurappa had laid the foundation stone for this project, which is set to complete within a three-years.
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Rabia Shireen is a Staff Reporter at The Cognate.
