Bombay HC issues ‘Show cause’ notice to Waqf Board and Muslim petitioners in Kanifnath Maharaj Temple case

A step towards protecting Hindu religious rights : Maharashtra Temple Federation

Mumbai – Hindu devotees have received significant relief in the Kanifnath Maharaj temple (Guha, Tal. Rahuri, Dist. Ahilya Nagar) case. The Sambhajinagar bench of the Bombay High Court has ordered the Waqf Board and the Muslim appellant to show cause regarding their claims in the temple case. Adv. (HH) Suresh Kulkarni of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti presented a strong case while representing local officials of the Guha Gram Panchayat and Maharashtra Temple Federation. The Court’s order is seen as a step towards protecting Hindu religious rights, as stated in a press release by Sunil Ghanwat, National Organiser of the Maharashtra Temple Federation.

History of the case

Saint Kanifnath Maharaj was a great Saint of the Nath sect, who performed severe penance and meditation at Guha in Rahuri taluka. This site has become a place of reverence for Hindu devotees, where worship, aarti, and other religious rituals take place. However, some Muslim groups, along with the Maharashtra Waqf Board, have claimed that this place is ‘Hazrat Baba Ramzan Shah Dargah’. Attempts were made to manipulate revenue records, asserting Muslim ownership of the site.

Injustice to Hindu devotees

Hindu devotees faced obstruction in performing worship and religious rituals, especially on Thursdays. Attempts were made to restrict celebrations during the full moon festivals. Priests were threatened, and some even faced attacks. There were efforts to forcibly evict Hindu devotees from the religious site. In protest against this injustice, the Guha Gram Panchayat and Hindu devotees filed a petition (Civil Revision Petition No. 47/2025) in the Sambhajinagar bench of the Bombay High Court. The petition sought the lifting of the ban on worship at the Kanifnath Maharaj temple, the removal of illegal entries in revenue records made by the Muslim group, and the removal of all restrictions on the temple. Justice S.G. Chapalgaonkar took note of the case and ordered to issue a ‘Show cause’ notice to Maharashtra Waqf Board and the Muslim group.

Significance of the Court’s order

The Court’s order is considered a major victory in the context of protecting Hindu religious sites. If further action is taken to remove illegal revenue alterations and unjust restrictions on the Kanifnath Maharaj temple, Hindu devotees may once again be able to perform their religious rituals without fear. The Maharashtra Temple Federation has urged devout Hindus to stay alert and firmly assert their position to protect the Kanifnath Maharaj temple.