Land Jihad by religious fanatics on Kanifnath Temple’s granted land in Jawkhede Khalsa (Ahilyanagar)

Villagers go on a hunger strike against encroachments
Strike called off after written assurance from the administration

Unauthorized ‘Hotel Savan’ located in the temple’s inami land

Pathardi (Dist. Ahilyanagar) – Sheikh Ganibhai, Sheikh Abbas Sardar Baba and Sheikh Jamadar have built an unauthorized hotel named ‘Savan’, on the inami (granted) land of Kanoba alias Kanifnath Temple in Jawkhede Khalsa. Even now, additional unauthorized construction is ongoing on this land. On January 14th, local resident Amol Wagh and others had submitted a letter to the Revenue Department, Police and Gram Panchayat demanding removal of the construction; but since the administration did not take any action, the villagers started a hunger strike till death at the Tehsil Office of Pathardi from March 4th. (It is shameful that the villagers are forced to go on a hunger strike due to the inaction of the administration. It is commendable that the villagers unitedly fought against Land Jihad – Editor).

On the third day of the hunger strike, i.e. on March 6th, the Tehsildar took note of this and ordered the local Sarpanch and Gram Panchayat officials to issue notices to those involved in the unauthorized construction. According to the notice of the Gram Panchayat, the concerned parties should give a written explanation within 30 days or remove the construction on their own, otherwise legal action will be taken. After the written assurance from the administration, the villagers called off the hunger strike.

Ongoing unauthorized construction in the temple premises

Editorial Perspective

Why is the villagers have to go on a hunger strike ? Was the administration sleeping while unauthorized hotels and construction were going on ? There is a need to enact a law in the country to stop ‘Land Jihad’ of religious fanatics.