Protests Erupt After Video of Muslim Women Offering Namaz at Pune’s Shaniwar Wada Goes Viral
Hindu groups demand action, calling the act disrespectful to the historic Maratha monument.
Pune, Maharashtra – A recent video showing Muslim women offering namaz at the historic Shaniwar Wada fort has sparked protests by Hindu organizations, who say the act was inappropriate at a monument of cultural importance.
The video, which quickly went viral on social media, shows a small group of women praying inside the premises of the 18th-century fort, a key symbol of Maratha heritage. The site, located in the heart of Pune, is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and draws thousands of tourists each year.
Reacting to the video, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni led a protest near the site on Sunday. She criticized the act and called for immediate action. “Shaniwar Wada is a heritage monument and not a place for religious rituals like namaz,” she told reporters. “The administration must act to prevent such incidents in the future.”
Several local Hindu groups, including Patit Pavan Sanghatna and Hindu Sakal Samaj, also took part in the protest. To express their anger, members performed symbolic purification rituals at the site. They sprinkled cow urine—considered sacred in some Hindu traditions—and recited devotional hymns dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Shaniwar Wada was built in 1736 by Peshwa Bajirao I and once served as the grand residence of the Peshwa rulers of the Maratha Empire. Though much of the original structure was destroyed in a fire in 1828, the remaining ruins and fort walls are protected under Indian heritage laws.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Krushikesh Rawale confirmed that the ASI is responsible for managing the site. “We are in touch with the ASI and will decide on further steps after discussions,” he said, hinting at possible new rules regarding religious activities at such monuments.
The incident has reignited debates around the use of historical sites for religious practices, especially in a country as religiously diverse as India. While no official action has been announced yet, the protests have intensified calls for clearer guidelines to ensure that heritage sites are respected by all visitors.
