Pune: Sakal Hindu Samaj Protests PMC Notice to Remove Temple in Vishrantwadi Chowk
Vishrantwadi, 9th August 2025: The Sakal Hindu Samaj on Thursday organised a Maha Aarti and public agitation at Vishrantwadi Chowk to oppose the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) notice to remove a temple dedicated to Shri Shiva, Ganapati and Durga.
According to the organisers, the temple has been a place of worship for thousands of devotees for over six decades and holds significant religious and cultural value for the local Hindu community. The protestors alleged that PMC issued a removal notice with a 24-hour deadline without prior discussion with the temple trust or the landowner.
Leaders of the agitation claimed that the temple stands on private property and termed the civic action “unfair” and “illegal,” accusing PMC of disregarding faith and sentiments. They demanded that the civic body immediately withdraw the notice and instead engage in dialogue to find an alternative solution.
The protest was led by Yogiji Rishabhnath Giri Maharaj of Shri Panchadashnam Awan Akhada (Ujjain), along with Nitin Amune and senior Hindutva ideologue Milind Ekbote. Participants also called for uniform policies to be applied to all religious structures, not only temples, during road widening or infrastructure projects.
