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An Indian Parliament member is facing criticism for “cleansing” a historic site with cow dung and urine after Muslim women prayed there.
Medha Kulkarni, to the Prime Minister Narendra Modidecision of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)marched with some Hindu Workers at historical Shaiwarwada Fort PuneA video of Muslim female visitors praying at the site in Maharashtra was widely shared on social media.
The MLA was seen “cleansing” the site with cow urine and dung as part of a “purification” ritual against Muslim prayers – an animal considered sacred by many Hindus. He also prayed to a Hindu deity in his protest.
“This site is not just a historical monument but a symbol of Maratha pride. No one should indulge in any act that hurts the sentiments of the Hindu community,” he said during the event on Sunday.
This fort, built in 1736, was considered the center of peshwa power -The position of Chief Minister among the Maratha people of India. It was destroyed by fire in 1828.
Maharashtra, India’s third-largest state, home to the financial capital Mumbai, has seen separate political fights along religious lines, with the state ruled by a Hindu majority coalition between Mr Modi’s BJP and regional leader Eknath Shinde.
Police in Pune registered a criminal case against three unidentified women, who were seen in the video, for violating restrictions imposed on protected monuments.
Asked why she felt the place had become “desecrated” after women from other religions prayed, Ms Kulkarni said Indian Express: “Shaniwarwada is an ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) protected historical monument. It is a symbol of Hindavi Swaraj (self-rule by the Indian people) established by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. We cannot allow anyone to offer namaz here. This is not a mosque.” Shivaji is revered in western India as a Hindu ruler who fought the Mughals and founded the Maratha Empire.
He doubled down on his claim and said that if one wants to offer namaz in this manner, Hindus should also be allowed to perform their rituals in mosques or the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum built by the Mughal ruler.
Ms Kulkarni is facing criticism from opposition leaders in the state and even her own political allies for inciting religious tension.
“Some Muslim women offered prayers inside Shaniwarwada after which some BJP members went there and ‘purified’ the place with cow urine. These people should remember that Mastani also stayed in Shaniwarwada,” senior Congress party spokesperson in Maharashtra Sachin Sawant said, referring to the historical figure’s wife.
Mr Sawant is a leader of BJP ally Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which has also demanded strict action against him.
He further said, “If those women take the name of the Almighty at such a place, it gives you a pain in your stomach. Has anyone stopped you from sitting there and meditating?”
Mukund Kirdat, Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson in Maharashtra, said, “This appears to be a clear attempt to polarize Hindu voters just ahead of the local municipal elections. This action to create bitterness between communities, especially during a festival like Diwali, is condemnable.”