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Shri Shanishinganapur Temple removes 114 Muslim staff members

  • Victory for Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh and devout Hindu organisations

  • Minister Nitesh Rane had also demanded their dismissal

Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra  – A total of 114 Muslim employees had been appointed at the sacred Shri Shanishinganapur Temple. On 21 May, these employees entered the sanctified temple platform and installed a grill, performed cleaning, and undertook painting work. This drew strong objections from the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh and other devout Hindu organisations, who demanded their removal and warned of a protest march outside the temple on 14 June.

Following this, the temple trust officially admitted that 114 Muslim employees were working there. Responding to the pressure, the Shri Shanishinganapur Temple Trust dismissed all 114 Muslim employees along with 167 of its own staff in total.

Minister Nitesh Rane had also called for the removal of Muslim employees. His stand intensified the pressure on the Temple Trust. The Trust clarified that none of the Muslim employees were working inside the sanctum sanctorum or on the sacred platform. Most were assigned to departments like agriculture, waste management, and education. Ninety-nine of them had been absent from duty for the past five months, and their salaries had already been suspended. The remaining 15 had served the trust for many years, with some having over 20 years of experience. However, facing mounting pressure, the Trust terminated the services of all 167 employees, including the 114 Muslims, citing irregularities and disciplinary violations.

“We will not tolerate compromise with the sanctity of Hindu religious places” – Nitesh Rane, Minister for Fisheries and Ports

Nitesh Rane, Minister for Fisheries and Ports

“The demand made by Hindu organisations is absolutely justified. Would anyone dare to do such a thing at Haji Ali or Ajmer Dargah? Why do such incidents happen only at Hindu religious sites? If a Hindu were seen working at a Muslim religious place, they would never be spared. The continuous compromise with the sanctity of Hindu religious sites can no longer be accepted under any circumstances,” said Minister Rane.

Editorial Perspective

This is a triumph of Hindu unity. Although the Shri Shanishinganapur Devasthan removed the Muslim employees due to the united opposition from devout Hindus, those responsible for hiring them must also be investigated and held accountable.

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