Shivpindi vandalised at Vasheni (District Raigad) a few days before Mahashivaratri

• Villagers suspect fanatics behind the vandalism

• Attempt by Police to suppress the matter

Vasheni (Uran) – A Shivpindi installed near the seashore at Valu Bandar for performing shraddha rituals was vandalised on the night of 11 February. Villagers suspect that the act was committed by fanatics. They firmly maintain that no one from the village could have carried out such an act. A few days earlier, the same Shivpindi had been desecrated with human excreta. At that time, a Hindu youth from the village had cleaned it.

🛕 Attack on Faith in Raigad – Silence from Authorities

In Vasheni (Raigad district), a sacred Shivpindi was desecrated just days before #Mahashivratri

Villagers suspect fanatic elements are behind this shameful act.

There are serious allegations that instead of swiftly… pic.twitter.com/LLK6hYILmm

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) February 14, 2026

As Mahashivaratri was three days away, two Police personnel had been deployed for security. However, instead of identifying and punishing the culprit, villagers sensed from the Police’s statements that there was an attempt to conceal the incident, leading to anger among them.

Police have informally claimed that a mentally unstable woman from the village may have committed the act, thereby indirectly shielding the culprits. In reality, the said woman resides at a temple in the village, maintains its cleanliness and offers flowers to Bhagwan Shiva. Villagers asserted that she could not have committed such an act.

When questioned, Police attempt to downplay and suppress the matter

When a reporter from ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ questioned the Police, they stated, ‘There is a mentally unstable woman in the village; she may have done this. There is nothing significant enough here to report.’ (From this incident, Hindus should realise that even if attacks occur against them in future, Police may respond similarly. They should therefore undertake self-defence training – Editor.)

Social activist Mr Avinash Patil from the village had constructed the Shivpindi and its platform. When the ‘Sanatan Prabhat’ correspondent contacted him for details, his wife Mrs Patil stated, ‘Police told him not to publicise the matter too much. This has angered the villagers greatly.’

Editorial perspectives

• This incident shows that even 300 years after the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, religious fanatics continue their mischief in his capital region.
• Instead of making efforts to apprehend the culprit, Police attempting to mislead Hindus have already lost their trust. Henceforth, Hindus have no option but to unite for the protection of their places of faith.
• Hindus are aware of how followers of other sects react even to minor incidents. It is precisely because Hindus are tolerant that fanatics dare to commit such acts.