Additional security forces have been deployed; no arrests have been made as yet
Team Clarion
MUMBAI — A Hindutva mob desecrated the centuries-old Hazrat Ahmed Chishti Dargah, also known as Buwasind Baba Shrine, in the Rahuri town of Maharashtra. The belligerent mb also replaced the traditional green flag on its dome with a saffron one.
The vandalism which occurred on March 26 was reportedly in response to the desecration of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj earlier that day, a Muslim Mirror report said on Friday.
The dargah has historically been a shared place of worship for both Muslims and Hindus, reflecting the region’s syncretic traditions. However, recent months have seen Hindutva groups intensify their claims that the dargah was originally a Hindu temple and should be “restored.” These claims have led to increasing tensions in the area, with locals fearing an attempt to rebrand the revered shrine.
The vandalism incident has sparked widespread concern among the approximately 14,000 Muslims of a total population of around 53,000. The Muslim community who resides alongside the shrine and the decades-old Khana Mosque.
Recent events suggest a pattern where right-wing groups have sought to inflame religious discord by asserting ownership over the shrine.
Residents described the attacks as targeted and deliberate, with stone pelting reported near the mosque and Muslim homes. The violence has added to a growing pattern of attacks on Muslim religious sites in Maharashtra, raising concerns about escalating communal tensions in the region.
Earlier in the day, reports surfaced on social media that some anti-social elements had defaced the statue of Shivaji Maharaj near the dargah, leading to widespread protests. Right-wing leader Sagar Setya Beg, along with political figures like former MLA Shivajirao Kardile, demanded swift action against the culprits.
In response to the alleged attack on the Shivaji Maharaj statue, Hindutva groups announced a Maha Aarti at the site on March 27, organised by Sakal Hindu Samaj under Sagar Beg’s leadership. The event was publicised as a religious gathering at the “Shri Buwasindh Dev Maharaj Temple,” a name that has raised alarm among local Muslims, who fear it signals an attempt to rebrand the shrine.
The notice for the event warned against “irresponsible actions,” a phrase locals fear may be used to justify the mob’s takeover.
Despite the deployment of additional security forces, no arrests have been made in connection with the attack. The incident has highlighted the need for increased protection of Muslim religious sites and the importance of addressing growing communal tensions in the region.
This incident is not an isolated one. Muslims in India have been facing increasing violence and discrimination, with many instances of hate crimes going unpunished. The country’s Muslims, who account for 14% of the total population, continue to face systemic persecution and marginalisation. — With inputs from Agencies
