Pune: Muslim Families Gather at PMC After Sarasbaug Closed During Eid

Shivajinagar, 29th May 2026: The closure of Pune’s iconic Sarasbaug garden during the Bakri Eid festive period has once again sparked controversy, with members of the Muslim community staging a peaceful satyagraha outside the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) headquarters on Friday.

Several Muslim families, including women and children from different parts of the city, gathered at the PMC premises in the evening to oppose what they described as an “exclusionary and discriminatory” decision to shut the public garden during Eid celebrations.

The protest was conducted in a Gandhian style, with participants distributing flowers and roses as a symbolic gesture of dissent. No slogans were raised and the gathering remained peaceful throughout.

The PMC’s Garden Department, acting on an order from Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure, had ordered Sarasbaug to remain closed to the public on May 28 and 29, citing security concerns and precautionary measures amid expected festive crowds. Sarasbaug houses the historic Peshwa-era Siddhivinayak Ganpati Temple and attracts large numbers of visitors during holidays.

As the garden gates remained shut, several families from areas including Kondhwa, Kasba Peth and Bhawani Peth brought their children to the lawns inside the PMC headquarters compound instead.

Speaking to reporters during the gathering, representatives of the community questioned why public gardens were allegedly being closed specifically during Muslim festivals.

“The Pune Municipal Corporation and public gardens belong to all tax-paying citizens,” a spokesperson said. “This happened during Ramzan Eid as well. We strongly objected then, and now during Bakri Eid the gates have again been closed. We want to know why public spaces are not shut during festivals like Diwali.”

The community members maintained that public parks are funded through taxpayers’ money and are meant for people of all religions and communities. They argued that restricting entry to a particular section of citizens violates constitutional principles of equality and fairness.

The protesters also reacted to allegations raised by some right-wing organisations and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Medha Kulkarni regarding the consumption of non-vegetarian food near the temple premises inside Sarasbaug.

Responding to the concerns, a spokesperson clarified that the Muslim community respects the sanctity of the Siddhivinayak Ganpati Temple located inside the garden.

“We have no objection to the temple or its sanctity,” the spokesperson said. “If the administration is concerned about non-vegetarian food being brought inside, then checks can be conducted at the gates and such items can be restricted. But that cannot become a reason to completely shut a public garden and deny access to thousands of families.”

Participants in the protest further alleged that elected representatives holding constitutional positions should not support policies perceived as discriminatory on religious grounds. Some protesters also expressed concern over statements made by certain Hindutva organisations demanding that Sarasbaug be reserved only for Hindus.

The gathering, which reportedly began with a handful of individuals, gradually grew into a larger collective gathering. By around 5.30 pm, dozens of people had assembled peacefully inside the PMC premises.
Due to prohibitory orders currently in force in Pune, security personnel deployed at the PMC headquarters questioned the gathering. However, the families clarified that they were not holding an organised agitation or unlawful assembly.

“We are different families who came individually to let our children play,” a spokesperson explained. “We are respecting the law and are not conducting any aggressive protest. We only want our concerns to be heard.”

A delegation later met Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure and handed over roses as a symbolic protest against the closure order. According to community representatives, police officials assured them that a formal meeting between a citizen delegation and the Mayor would be coordinated.

While the symbolic ‘protest’ concluded peacefully without any untoward incident, community leaders warned that repeated closures of public gardens during Eid celebrations could lead to larger agitations in the future.

“Today, our children played on the corporation lawns,” a spokesperson said. “But if such restrictions continue during future Eid festivals, the administration will face stronger public protests.”