Hunger strike enters a crucial phase; heavy police deployment after tensions briefly rise outside the municipal corporation headquarters
ULHASNAGAR — The long-running demand for the use of land reserved for a Muslim graveyard in Ulhasnagar in Maharashtra’s Thane District took a significant turn on Friday when hundreds of people gathered outside the Municipal Corporation headquarters to express solidarity with protesters continuing an indefinite hunger strike.
The protest centres on a demand that the administration allow burials on land earmarked for a Muslim graveyard. Demonstrators claim that the issue has remained unresolved for years, despite repeated assurances from political leaders and civic authorities.
Following Friday prayers, a large number of people assembled outside the Municipal Corporation office and raised slogans in support of the demand. Protesters accused the administration of delaying a decision and relying on repeated promises without taking concrete action.
Many participants stated that frustration within the community has been growing because the issue has remained unresolved for a long time. Videos of past election promises and speeches by political leaders relating to the graveyard issue have also been circulated on social media, drawing renewed attention to the matter.
Speaking at the protest site, Abdul Ghaffar Shaikh, president of Maharashtra Pragami Muslim Samaj Sanghatna and one of the hunger strikers, said the issue was linked to the community’s rights and dignity.
“This is not merely a piece of land. It is a matter connected with the constitutional rights, dignity and basic needs of the Muslim community,” he said.
Shaikh alleged that the Municipal Corporation had failed to hand over the land reserved for the graveyard at Kailash Colony, Camp No. 5, despite repeated demands.
“Last year, we also held a hunger strike on this issue. At that time, the Municipal Commissioner assured us that the land would soon be handed over to the Muslim community, but that has not happened,” he said.
Social activist Anil Sinha, who also addressed the gathering, claimed that pressure from communal elements was preventing the land from being handed over.
During the protest, a brief period of tension was reported when some members of Hindu organisations arrived at the location and raised religious slogans. However, no untoward incident was reported, and the situation remained under control.
Protest organisers said participants remained calm and continued their demonstration peacefully despite the tense atmosphere.
The administration had deployed a large police force around the Municipal Corporation headquarters and nearby areas as a precautionary measure. Some protesters criticised the heavy police presence, arguing that a peaceful democratic protest should not be treated as a law-and-order concern.
Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation Deputy Commissioner Vishakha Motghare met representatives of the protesters and held discussions regarding their demands. According to protest leaders, the official indicated that there could be progress on some of the issues raised by the community.
However, the protesters made it clear that they were seeking a written and time-bound decision rather than verbal assurances.
“We have heard promises for many years. This time we want a clear decision and practical action,” one protester said.
The hunger strike is continuing, with organisers stating that the agitation would remain peaceful and would continue until a satisfactory resolution is reached.
Municipal authorities have not issued a detailed public statement on the demands at the time of reporting.
