Mumbai: Durgadi Fort within the satellite tv for pc metropolis of Kalyan in Maharashtra has been an integral a part of Shiv Sena politics for over 5 a long time. However this time we have now introduced each the Shiv Senaths collectively.-This can be a uncommon feat contemplating the friction that adopted their disbandment in 2022.
On Thursday, employees from each the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Occasion (BJP) demanded entry to the fort, which had been restricted for Bakri Eid prayers.
The rival Shiv Sena faction staged a ‘Ghanta Nad’ protest and demanded entry to the fort, which homes each a mosque and a temple.
Durgadi Fort is positioned about 60 km northeast of Mumbai, close to the Kalyan and Ulhas rivers, and was constructed after the Maratha military conquered the area within the 1660s. Kalyan is a vital district and gained fame throughout the Mughal and Maratha eras.
Fortification of Kalyan started throughout the Mughal period. That is when Durgadi Fort was constructed within the north-eastern nook of town someday within the late Sixteenth century.
In accordance with information, there have been tombs, locations of prayer, and a mosque there. Bombay Presidency Gazetteer: Thana.
“On the northeast nook of an enclosed 70-acre space on an increase on the riverbank was a fort. On the northwest nook of the fort rose a small flat mound about 30 toes excessive, on which was a prayer wall or idgah 64 toes lengthy, 13 toes excessive, and seven toes thick, and close to the japanese peak of the mound was a mosque 20 toes lengthy and 22 toes excessive.” place title dictionaryIn accordance with ThePrint, it says:
It provides that when the Marathas got here to energy in 1760, “a small wood temple of Durgadevi was constructed behind the mosque and known as the Durgadi Qila Fort in honor of the goddess and the title that survives. Additionally they transformed the Jama Mosque right into a temple of Ramji.”
It was then occupied by the British in 1818. place title dictionary He factors out that the fort has ceased to be a spot of worship since 1876, when “the statue of the goddess was stolen.”
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Bal Thackeray is right here
Tensions between Hindus and Muslims over possession of the fort could be traced again to the Nineteen Sixties. At subject was who would handle the fort, as Muslims claimed to have prayed on the website for hundreds of years, whereas Hindus additionally needed equal rights to hope and worship on the premises.
In 1966, the Maharashtra authorities claimed the positioning as state property and determined to construct a public park there, this time sparking additional protests from the Muslim aspect. The state authorities relented and allowed Muslims to supply Eid prayers at this location twice a yr.
The problem additional escalated in 1968 when Bal Thackeray visited the fort, unfurled a saffron flag and mentioned he would place a statue of Durga inside. The Hindu aspect additionally claimed to have fun Navratri there. In 1976, Muslims filed a petition within the Kalyan Civil Courtroom difficult the possession of the construction by the Maharashtra authorities.
This authorized battle continued in civil court docket till 2024.
In the meantime, Muslims continued to supply Eid prayers twice a yr on the fort, whereas Hindus continued to have fun Navratri there.
In December 2024, the court docket dominated in favor of the state authorities. The Muslim aspect instantly appealed to the Further District Courtroom and the Classes Courtroom, which issued a keep order ordering the established order to be maintained on the fort whereas the case was being heard.
newest flashpoint
As in earlier years, entry to temples was restricted throughout Eid prayers, that are held alongside roads and alongside the Idgah wall. Nevertheless, Shiv Senath and Bharatiya Janata Occasion leaders opposed this and demanded that they be allowed entry into the temple regardless that prayers have been being held.
They staged a ‘Ghanta Naad’ protest and threatened the police that they might loudly recite the Hanuman Chalisa in the event that they weren’t allowed entry. Staff from three political events scaled barricades and tried to disrupt public order.
Police later detained Mahesh Patil of the BJP company.
The ‘Ghanta Naad’ protests have been began in 1986 by late Shiv Sena chief Anand Dighe from Thane on the directions of Bal Thackeray. Dighe took benefit of this by mobilizing Shiv Sainiks to march to the fort yearly on Eid, demanding uninterrupted entry for Hindus. This concerned tons of of employees going to the fort, ringing bells and enjoying Maha Aarti.
Furthermore, Dighe was additionally instrumental in establishing Navratri on a big scale at Durgadi fort.
Sanjay Jadhav, Further Commissioner of Police, Thane, instructed the media that the protests aren’t new and namaz has been being served at Durgadi Qila for the final 30-40 years, regardless that political personnel from Hindu organizations have been coming right here. Safety has been adequately strengthened, he mentioned.
(Edited by Naldeep Singh Dahiya)
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