Considerable delay by the Chiplun Municipal Council administration in Ratnagiri district in filing a complaint

• Case of offering namaz in the Narayan Lake area of Chiplun

• Hindu organisations angered over the functioning of the administration

Chiplun, 16 February – On 30^thJanuary 2026, Muslims offered namaz in the Narayan Lake area here. Objecting to this, devout Hindus submitted a memorandum to the Municipal Council demanding action. Even after 16 days had passed regarding this sensitive issue of offering namaz at a public place, the administration had not registered any complaint.

Despite continuous follow-up by representatives of devout Hindu organisations with the Municipal Council administration and police officials on this serious matter, not even a simple offence was registered.

1. As there was an inordinate delay, on 16^thFebruary representatives of devout Hindu organisations questioned the Municipal Council administration about it; however, the administration shifted the blame for the delay onto the police.

2. The devout Hindus then asked them to speak with an officer at the Chiplun Police Station. The police stated that a letter for filing a complaint had been given to the Municipal Council on Thursday, 12^th February. When it was seen that the Chief Officer was searching for this letter, it led to anger among the representatives of Hindu organisations.

3. Despite a strong reaction from society regarding this matter, the representatives stated that the Municipal Council’s failure to file a complaint amounts to an attempt to disregard the sentiments of Hindus.

4. Accompanied by Mr Bapu Sadavilkar, the responsible employee of the Municipal Council’s Garden Department, representatives of devout Hindu organisations personally visited the police station on 16^thFebruary and followed up to ensure that the
complaint was registered.

5. On this occasion, Corporator Nihar Kovale questioned the Chief Officer regarding the Municipal Council administration’s delaying approach in this matter. He also raised the question of whether an attempt was being made to protect someone.

6. In this case, the police did not hand over their letter directly to the Municipal Council officer but merely marked it as inward (received). As a result, the process of registering an offence was further delayed. Strong displeasure is being expressed among devout Hindu organisations in Chiplun city over the insensitivity shown by the police administration in this matter.

7. Those present for filing and following up on the complaint included Mr Ajinkya Otari of Shivpratishthan Hindustan, Mr Rajesh Otari of Sakal Hindu Samaj Sanghatana, cow protector Mr Vikram Joshi, Deputy Taluka Chief of Yuva Sena Mr Aditya Joshi, Shiv Sena Guhagar Assembly Observer Mr Anurag Utekar, Dr Hemant Chalke of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, and Mr Amit Joshi, Mr Prashant Utekar, and Mr Sandeep Khare of Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti.

Editorial Perspectives

• If a similar incident had occurred concerning Muslims, would the police have remained silent ? By now, a case would likely have been registered against Hindus and arrests initiated.

• How does the administration remain inactive on such a sensitive issue ? Should this be considered the result of someone’s pressure, administrative inefficiency, or the administration’s so-called secularism ? If this is the situation, it raises concerns about how effectively the administration addresses the basic problems of the public.

• Is the administration attempting to protect someone by causing such delays, or is it taking advantage of Hindus’ tolerance to support the actions of religious fanatics ? What action will be taken against those responsible for this delay ?