KALYAN: Tensions flared in Kalyan, Maharashtra, on Thursday as members of rival Shiv Sena factions staged protests near the historic Durgadi Fort amidst tight security arrangements ahead of Bakri Eid. The situation escalated with the detention of BJP corporator Mahesh Patil, who had warned of protests if devotees were restricted from entering the temple.
The Durgadi Fort, a site of religious significance for both Hindus and Muslims, typically sees large gatherings of Muslims for Eid prayers at the Idgah section. Historically, to avoid potential law and order issues, temporary restrictions are placed on Hindu devotees entering the Durga temple within the fort premises during these prayer times. This arrangement has been in place for decades, with the “Ghanta Naad Andolan” protest by Shiv Sena being a customary response to these restrictions since 1982.
This year’s protests saw participation from workers of both the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction. The groups attempted to breach police barricades to reach the temple but were prevented by security personnel. The Shinde faction’s protest was led by Thane district president Gopal Landge, along with senior leaders Ravi Patil and Mahesh Gaikwad. The Uddhav Thackeray faction’s agitation was led by deputy leader Vijay Salvi and Kalyan city president Bala Parab.
The protest also highlighted the political friction between the two Shiv Sena factions. UBT leader Vijay Salvi criticized the current administration, stating that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who had participated in the protest in previous years, was now part of a government that was restricting devotees. Salvi alleged that this demonstrated “duplicate Hindutva” and accused the BJP of engaging in “political drama.”
BJP corporator Mahesh Patil had previously warned that he would recite the Hanuman Chalisa if devotees were prevented from entering the temple during Eid prayers. In response, police detained Patil from his residence before the protest commenced. Additional Commissioner of Police Sanjay Jadhav assured that the temporary restriction during Eid prayers has been a long-standing practice to maintain law and order and that adequate security measures were in place.
The Durgadi Fort has been the subject of a long-standing legal dispute over its ownership. A Kalyan civil court recently ruled in favor of the Maharashtra government, rejecting the Muslim community’s claim to the land, asserting its ownership. The court’s decision came after a legal battle spanning nearly five decades, affirming the government’s ownership of the disputed site while acknowledging the historical significance for both communities. The court also noted that the Muslim community’s claim was barred by the statute of limitations.
Despite the court’s ruling affirming state ownership, the Durgadi Fort remains a point of contention. The tradition of the “Ghanta Naad Andolan” and the temporary restrictions during Eid prayers underscore the delicate balance being managed by authorities to ensure peace and communal harmony during religious observances in the historically sensitive area.
The prolonged legal battles and recurring protests highlight the complex interweaving of religious, historical, and political factors surrounding the Durgadi Fort, a site that has witnessed decades of disputes and activism.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
