The Vishalgad Fort encroachment difficulty has sparked important controversy, with communal tensions in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district attributed to Maratha royal Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati who led a march to the fort on Sunday. The state of affairs intensified when a video went viral on social media displaying vandalism at a mosque in Kolhapur district. The video claims this was a part of an “encroachment-free” marketing campaign on the historic Vishalgad Fort. The incident led to violence and arson on July 15, with stone-pelting at cops.
Authorities have registered instances towards 500 people and arrested 21 individuals in reference to the violence at Vishalgad Fort. The police have confirmed that the ‘anti-encroachment’ drive turned violent, resulting in stone-pelting and injury to property, together with acts of arson.
In the meantime, the Mamidian Schooling Society has written to the District Collector demanding Sambhajiraje’s instant arrest, citing his position within the unrest.
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Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati Distances Himself From Vishalgad Fort Violence
Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, in a press release, expressed his disapproval of the violence on the fort, stating, “I don’t help the violence that occurred at Vishalgad Fort. Nonetheless, I query why such violence occurred. I had already knowledgeable the district administration that if the unlawful encroachments at Vishalgad Fort weren’t eliminated, the state of affairs might deteriorate. Regardless of this, I’ve not had a gathering with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde or the Deputy Chief Minister. The federal government is fully chargeable for what transpired in Vishalgad district.”
Sambhajiraje additionally talked about his go to to the police station to inquire if an FIR had been registered towards him, however he acquired no solutions even after two hours. He confused, “The violence at Vishalgad Fort is being given a communal color, which is fully incorrect. I’m towards the unlawful encroachments on the fort, not towards any specific neighborhood. The primary encroachments at Vishalgad Fort have been made by Hindus.”
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, addressing the row, said, “There’s a important quantity of saline land in Shirgol Taluka of Kolhapur district. We’re dedicated to creating the taluka freed from saline and wetland. Former State Minister A. Kolhapur, District Collector Rajendra Patil Yadravkar, and different related officers have met relating to this difficulty. Applicable steps might be taken quickly.”
कोल्हापूर जिल्ह्यातील शिरोळ तालुक्यात मोठ्या प्रमाणात क्षारपड जमीन आहे. सदर तालुका क्षारपड व पाणथळमुक्त करण्याचा आमचा निर्धार आहे. संबंधित क्षेत्र सुधारण्याच्या प्रस्तावित योजनांच्या अंमलबजावणीसाठी आज माजी राज्यमंत्री आ. राजेंद्र पाटील यड्रावकर, कोल्हापूर जिल्ह्याचे जिल्हाधिकारी… pic.twitter.com/5WGVB8UVz8
— Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) July 16, 2024
Asaduddin Owaisi Ivokes Babri Masjid Demolition, Sena UBT Accuses Maharashtra Govt Of Defending Encroachments At Vishalgad Fort
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the incident, stating, “It’s a sort of terrorist assault on the Mosque. There’s a Shinde-Fadnavis BJP authorities there (Maharashtra). It’s due to the federal government that such assaults are occurring on the Mosques…That is being inspired by the Shinde-BJP authorities.”
“We need to develop into a Vishvaguru however demolish the Mosque…It is a deliberate focusing on of Muslims and spiritual locations,” he stated at a presser as quoted by information company ANI.
#WATCH | On Mosque demolished in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi says, “It’s a sort of terrorist assault on the Mosque. There’s a Shinde-Fadnavis BJP authorities there (Maharashtra). It’s due to the federal government that such assaults are occurring on the… pic.twitter.com/t3ChGclEaX
— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2024
Owaisi additionally took to X earlier and drew a parallel to Babri Masjid demolition, “”6 December continues ” @mieknathshinde @Dev_Fadnavis underneath your authorities a Masjid is attacked by a Mob,that is an assault on Rule of Regulation however your authorities will not be involved.”
“Muslims of Maharashtra should reply by way of Poll by guaranteeing your social gathering MIM candidates win the forthcoming elections to cease the Mobs and the political leaders & events who give them patronage and help and bear in mind the Silence of events who’re claiming they gained “Ethical victory”,” he said.
“6 December continues “@mieknathshinde @Dev_Fadnavis underneath your authorities a Masjid is attacked by a Mob,that is an assault on Rule of Regulation however your authorities will not be involved.
Muslims of Maharashtra should reply by way of Poll by guaranteeing your social gathering MIM candidates win the… https://t.co/085RnK2y7u
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) July 15, 2024
Opposition chief Ambadas Danve focused the Maharashtra authorities over the violence, questioning if “jungle raj” is prevailing within the state. In line with PTI, Danve, from Shiv Sena (UBT), accused the federal government of defending unlawful buildings on the fort, stating, “Sambhajiraje solely requested the state authorities to take away encroachments, however as a substitute of taking motion, an offence was registered towards him.”
AIMIM’s Imtiaz Jaleel additionally criticised Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, stating, “You could possibly go to Delhi as a result of Muslims had voted for you. We used to respect you, however because you led the violent protest at Vishalgad Fort, we ponder whether you might be really a descendant of Shahu Maharaj.” Jaleel alleged that authorized procedures weren’t adopted in the course of the anti-encroachment drive, and miscreants vandalised houses and burnt automobiles, PTI reported.
Moreover, Danve referred to as for enhanced safety on the world heritage websites of Ajanta and Ellora within the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, following police suggestions. He identified that regardless of the rising footfall at Ellora cave complicated, which noticed over 24 lakh guests in 9 months final 12 months, the federal government has not taken motion to boost safety or procure security gear. He demanded a devoted police unit for the heritage monuments.
The Vishalgad Fort holds historic significance because it was a refuge for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1660. The fort has seen numerous historic occasions, together with a revolt towards a Brahmin regent put in by the British in 1844.
(With Inputs By Businesses)