Pune News: A political storm erupted in Maharashtra’s Pune after a video went viral showing some Muslim women offering namaz at the historic Shaniwar Wada. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni shared the video on her social media, calling it disrespectful to the historic site and urging protests.
Protest After Muslim Women Recite Namaz At Pune For Shaniwar Wada
On Sunday, Kulkarni led a protest at the venue with members of Sakal Hindu Samaj and Patit Pawan Sangathan. The group performed ‘shuddhikaran’ by sprinkling cow urine and cow dung at the site where namaz was offered. Clashes broke out between the protesters and police, creating tension. Later, the police controlled the situation.
The controversy began when a video showed six to seven Muslim women praying on mats on the upper floor of the Peshwa Fort. Children played nearby, and tourists walked around. The video quickly sparked debates on social media.
Medha Kulkarni wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Shaniwar Wada mein namaz nahi chalegi, Hindu samaj jag chuka hai! Chalo Shaniwar Wada!” She announced a protest at 4 PM in front of the Kasba police station, where the garden was closed for the demonstration.
Site Purified With Cow Urine
Hundreds of Hindu organisation workers gathered the site under Kulkarni’s leadership. They sprinkled cow urine at the namaz site and performed Shiv Vandana, chanting slogans like “Shaniwar Wada hamara hai, ye Peshwahon ka gaurav hai.”
The protesters also tried to demonstrate near the Hazrat Khwaja Sayyad Dargah outside Shaniwar Wada, but police stopped them. Several protesters were injured in the scuffles, creating tension in the area.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Krishnakesh Rawale said Shaniwar Wada is protected under the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India), and further action will be taken after discussions with the department. After several hours, the police regained control.
Medha Kulkarni said, “Shaniwar Wada Maharashtra ki aitihaasik pehchaan hai. Yahan kisi bhi dharm ke dharmik karyakram nahi hone chahiye. Namaz ka video dekhne ke baad maine puratatva vibhag se sampark kiya.” She added that she immediately stopped the activity but raised her voice to prevent such incidents in the future.
She stressed that the fort is a symbol of Hindavi Swarajya established by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, not a mosque. BJP leaders said the protest is about protecting history and tradition, not targeting any religion.
Kulkarni also mentioned an “avaidh dharmik sanrachna” outside Shaniwar Wada, saying that if namaz is allowed, Hindus should also be allowed to perform aarti in mosques or the Taj Mahal.
NCP Criticises BJP MP
Opposition parties condemned the protest. Ajit Pawar’s NCP demanded an FIR against Kulkarni. NCP leader Rupali Thombre said, “Kulkarni Hindu-Muslim tanav paida kar rahi hain. Shaniwar Wada mein kabr dashakon se maujood hai, namaz padhna apradh nahi. Ye vivad sthaniya nikay chunav se pehle votron ko dhruvikrit karne ki saazish hai.”
Congress and AAP also said the protest could harm communal harmony.
For context, Shaniwar Wada was the fort of the Peshwas in Pune. It was the centre of Peshwa power, built by Bajirao I in 1732. The fort is called with this name because its foundation was laid on a Saturday.
