Pune: Hindu Groups Protest, Perform Purification After Muslim Women Seen Offering Namaz at Shaniwarwada
Shaniwar Peth, 19th October 2025: A video showing a group of women offering namaz at the historic Shaniwarwada in Pune has gone viral on social media, sparking protests by Hindutva groups and BJP MP Medha Kulkarni. Following the incident, activists from the Sakal Hindu Samaj and Patit Pawan Sanghatana staged demonstrations near the monument, creating a tense atmosphere in the area.
Police personnel have been deployed at the site to maintain law and order, and efforts are underway to pacify the protesters.
BJP MP Medha Kulkarni shared the video on social media, condemning the act and stating that it was inappropriate to offer namaz at a heritage site like Shaniwarwada. “This is not a political issue. Namaz was offered at Shaniwarwada, a symbol of Maratha pride and victory. We performed ‘Shiv Vandana’ to purify the place. We will not tolerate such acts at this historic site,” Kulkarni said.
In response, members of Sakal Hindu Samaj and Patit Pawan Sanghatana performed ‘Shiv Vandana’ near Shaniwarwada on Sunday as a mark of protest. The groups also claimed to have cleaned the area by sprinkling cow urine and demanded that police register a case against the women seen in the video.
Senior police officials have appealed to all communities to maintain peace and not fall prey to misinformation or attempts to disturb communal harmony.
