Acharya Gurudev Guptinandiji Appeals to Jain Community to Protect Encroached Temple Land in Ahilyanagar

Ahilyanagar, 5th November 2025: A dispute over land belonging to the Ahilyanagar Jain Temple Trust has sparked strong reactions within the Jain community. Religious leader Acharya Gurudev Guptinandiji Maharaj has urged the community to unite and protect the temple land, alleging that it has been encroached upon. He also appealed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure justice is delivered in the case.

The controversy surfaced after Thackeray Shiv Sena’s city president, Kiran Kale, accused NCP MLA Sangram Jagtap of allegedly taking unlawful possession of the land owned by the Jain Temple Trust. Kale has lodged a formal complaint with the Charity Commissioner’s Office in Pune, along with documentary evidence supporting the claim.

Kale met Acharya Gurudev Guptinandiji Maharaj at the HND Jain Boarding in Pune to brief him on the issue. During the meeting, he presented documents related to the disputed property.

Following the discussion, Acharya Guptinandiji issued a public appeal urging the Jain community across Maharashtra to come together against the alleged land grab. “The sacred land associated with Jain saints and monks has been unlawfully encroached upon. Our community has always stood for truth and non-violence, and we must not allow injustice to prevail. I call upon every member of the Jain community to unite and protect this heritage site,” he said, assuring his blessings to all those working for the cause.

Several prominent community members, including Manoj and Vikes Gundecha, Vilas Ubale, Atul Jain, Sukaushal Jinturkar, Anand Kankaria, Swapnil Gangwal, Annaso Patil, Swapnil Bafna, Anil Patni, Rajendra Shah, Shantinath Jain, Jawahar Gumne, and Dilip Shantinath Khobre, attended the meeting.