Deny permission for Urus held at Vishalgad in the name of Muslim Sardar Rehan Malik

Demand raised by Hindu Ekta Andolan

(An “Urus” is a festival organised on the death anniversary of a Muslim religious figure.)

Office-bearers of the Hindu Ekta Andolan and pro-Hindutva activists protesting outside the District Collector’s office.

Kolhapur (Maharashtra) – Earlier, during the Urus organised in the name of Rehan Malik at Vishalgad, a large number of animals were sacrificed, due to which meat and blood would be scattered everywhere, thereby desecrating Vishalgad. At present, the Government has imposed a ban on animal slaughter and the consumption of alcohol at Vishalgad.

On 14 May, the administration had denied permission to celebrate the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Therefore, permission should also be denied to the Urus scheduled from 28 to 30 May in the name of Rehan Malik, and all illegal encroachments there should be demolished, demanded Mr Nitin Shinde, former MLA and State President of the Hindu Ekta Andolan. He was speaking during a protest held outside the Kolhapur District Collector’s office regarding this issue.

After the protest, a memorandum was submitted to Resident Deputy Collector Gajanan Gurav. On this occasion, several office-bearers and activists from devout Hindu organisations were present, including Hindu Ekta Andolan Kolhapur District President Mr Deepak Desai, City President Mr Gajanan Todkar, Mr Shivanand Swami of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Mr Babasaheb Bhopale of Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad, Mr Rambhau Methe and Mr Nitin Kakade of Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti, City Coordinator Mr Ashish Lokhande of Shri Shivpratishthan Hindustan, Shiv Sena Deputy District Chief Mr Kishor Ghatge, and many others.

Office-bearers of the Hindu Ekta Andolan and pro-Hindutva activists submitting a memorandum to Resident Deputy Collector Gajanan Gurav.

The livelihood of priests at Vishalgad is in crisis

On this occasion, Hindu Ekta Andolan City President Mr Gajanan Todkar said, “At present, tourist movement at the fort has reduced drastically, making it difficult for the priests serving at the temple there to sustain themselves. Therefore, the administration should establish sculptures depicting the history of Pavan Khind and other historical information, and create a ‘Shivsrishti’ (a large exhibition related to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj era) at the site. This will increase tourist inflow and provide a means of livelihood for the priests.”