Dargah Protest in Pune’s Mukundnagar Sparks Debate; Locals Reject Communal Divide
Swargate, 2nd August 2025: A protest march demanding action against a dargah in Pune’s Mukundnagar area was led on Saturday by MLA Sangram Jagtap and MLC Yogesh Tilekar. While the march was organized under the banner of the “Sakal Hindu Samaj,” several local residents voiced strong opposition to the demonstration, asserting that the shrine has long been a part of the community and that there is no local resentment toward it.
The protestors, reportedly mobilized by various right-wing groups, alleged that the dargah has encroached upon public land and demanded that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) act swiftly against it. A significant police presence was deployed to maintain law and order during the march.
However, a contrasting narrative emerged from many residents of Mukundnagar, who called the protest politically motivated and unnecessary.
Speaking to reporters, Seema Mahadik, a local resident, said, “I have lived in Mukundnagar my entire life. We have all grown up here and have visited this religious place since childhood. I am a Hindu, and I have never felt that this dargah is a problem. The people protesting today are not locals—they are outsiders trying to stir communal tensions.”
She appealed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to intervene and ensure communal harmony is maintained. “Let Hindu and Muslim brothers continue living peacefully together. Do not allow hatred to divide us. Our area has always been a symbol of unity among all religions,” Mahadik said.
Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, the incident has sparked concern among city residents and political observers about growing communal polarization ahead of upcoming local body elections.
The Pune Municipal Corporation has not issued an official statement yet regarding the legal status of the dargah or the action demanded by the protestors.
