Ban on Vat Pujan in the Mahatma Phule Wada premises withdrawn

When will action be taken against the officials who imposed the ban ? – Ramesh Shinde

Pune – The Maharashtra Government has withdrawn the ban imposed by the Archaeology Department on the worship of the banyan tree in the premises of the historic Mahatma Phule Wada in Pune. Delegations from the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), Rashtrabhakta Adhivakta Samiti, Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti, Surajya Abhiyan and Ranaragini submitted memoranda to the Archaeology Department, the Police administration and the Pune Municipal Commissioner, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the ban. Their united efforts have resulted in a major success, forcing the administration to withdraw its decision.

🚩 Huge Victory! Pune’s Mahatma Phule Wada Vat Purnima puja ban lifted after strong protests by @HinduJagrutiOrg & Hindutva groups

Shri @Ramesh_HJS called the ban a ‘Tughlaqi’ assault on religious freedom & thanked the govt, while demanding strict action against the anti-Hindu… pic.twitter.com/q9I9rAwdmO

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) June 26, 2026

The Assistant Director of the Archaeology Department writes to the Police

Taking note of the protests and demands raised by devout Hindus, Dr Vilas Vahane, Assistant Director of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Maharashtra, wrote to the Senior Police Inspector of Khadak Police Station. In his letter, he stated that the customs and traditions that existed before Mahatma Phule Wada was declared a State-protected monument should continue without alteration. He also directed that necessary arrangements be made to maintain law and order on the occasion of Vat Pournima.

Mr Ramesh Shinde, National Spokesperson of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, said:

The ban was an attack on the religious freedom of Hindu women and on the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
The Archaeology Department had issued a draconian order prohibiting the traditional Vat Savitri worship performed at this banyan tree. Following the opposition by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and the legal notice served by advocates, the authorities realised that India guarantees freedom of religion and withdrew their draconian order.
The Fadnavis Government deserves congratulations for this decision. However, the Government should also take action against the concerned officials of the Archaeology Department who unnecessarily tried to harass Hindus and make it clear that such draconian functioning will not be tolerated in Maharashtra.

Following this victory, Mr Ramesh Shinde appealed to Hindu women to gather in large numbers at Mahatma Phule Wada, enthusiastically perform Vat Pujan, preserve their religious traditions and celebrate this victory.

Withdraw the Archaeology Department’s ban on Vat Pujan!
Rashtrabhakta Adhivakta Samiti had demanded the withdrawal through a memorandum

Advocates of the Rashtrabhakta Adhivakta Samiti are submitting a memorandum to Dr Vilas Vahane, Assistant Director of the Archaeology Department.

Pune – The ban imposed by the Archaeology Department on the worship of the banyan tree in the premises of the historic Mahatma Phule Wada monument at Ganj Peth is an attack on the religious freedom of Hindu women. Opposing this unjust decision, a delegation of the Rashtrabhakta Adhivakta Samiti submitted a memorandum to the Archaeology Department and the Police administration demanding the immediate withdrawal of the ban. The memorandum was submitted to Dr Vilas Vahane, Assistant Director of the Maharashtra State Archaeology Department, in the presence of representatives of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and other dignitaries.