Islamists attack Shri Kanifnath Mandir at Rahuri

• Assault on the temple priest and devotees

• Claim the temple to be a dargah

Mumbai – Islamist mob created a ruckus during the Diwali Festival at Shri Kanifnath Mandir in Guha village, Rahuri Taluka, District Ahilyanagar. The mob suddenly entered the temple, interrupted the ongoing bhajan programme; and assaulted Hindu devotees including the temple priest and Hindu women, while claiming that the temple was their dargah. Video of this incident has become viral in which it is observed that the priest and Hindu devotees, men and women, were being kicked and brutally assaulted. This incident occurred on the 13th of November 2023, but still, none of the accused has been arrested. Police say that soon the accused would be taken into custody.

The Tehsildar’s permission was obtained to perform puja

This temple is a shrine of Saint Kanifnath Maharaj from ‘Nath Sampradaya’. He took Samadhi in this temple, but a few Muslims claim it to be a land belonging to a dargah. This matter is presently sub judice. The land, though under the control of the temple, is claimed to be of Waqf Board. Hindus have to obtain permission to perform puja and arati in this temple, about which there is discontent amongst the local Hindus. They keep submitting memorandums to the Tehsildar and District Collector. Tehsildar granted permission to Hindus to perform puja at this temple, only after which Hindus cleaned up the temple premises and made preparations for puja but Muslims attacked them.

The entrance to Samadhi Mandir is blocked by filling up soil

For many years, puja rituals, arati and bhandara have been held at this temple on the new moon day, every month. The local Hindus say that it is their Gram-Devata. The cave got its name because of Saint Kanifnath but the Waqf Board is trying to claim it as its land by calling it ‘Ramazan Shah Dargah’. There is a Samadhi Mandir and Shivapindi in the temple, but the entrance to the Samadhi Mandir has been blocked by filling it up with soil.

Stopping puja-bhajan by entering Shri Kanifnath Mandir and beating temple-priest, devotees is an ochlocracy of fanatics

‘Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh’ demands an inquiry into the incident and find the mastermind

Hindus are being beaten up by stopping puja-bhajan in this Maharashtra of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This incident reminds us of Muslims’ oppression and we, on behalf of ‘Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh (MMM)’ publicly condemn this incident. It is a very serious issue that despite the case being sub judice, the law was taken into hands, and Hindus were assaulted that too during their Diwali festival. Moreover, cases have been filed even against 58 Hindus. MMM has demanded an immediate withdrawal of cases against the Hindus; the conducting of an in-depth inquiry to find conspiracy behind the incident for disrupting law and order, and the mastermind of the attacks on Hindus. The name of the place has been changed from Ahmednagar to Ahilyanagar in honour of Rani Ahilyabai, who strived to protect and conserve temples; however, the mentality of Ahmad’s descendants has not changed. It is a ploy of the Waqf Board to build a dargah beside the temple and grab 32 acres of the temple land. This issue is sub judice. Every Thursday and New Moon Day, puja is performed at this temple; even then, Hindus were attacked which is a contempt of the Court. It is an attempt to terrorise Hindus and disturb law and order in this place, stated MMM.

Editorial Perspective

The matter is under litigation; still, Islamists attacking in this manner is against the law. The Court should take note of this incident and take severe action against the fanatics.