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A video from Pune’s historic Shaniwar Wada Fort showing unidentified women offering Namaz has gone viral, prompting authorities to register a case against three unidentified women under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Rules, 1959, for allegedly violating restrictions at the protected monument.

The incident has triggered a political controversy. BJP workers, led by Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni, staged a protest at the site and performed a “purification ritual” by sprinkling cow urine. Opposition parties and social activists have condemned the act, accusing Kulkarni of spreading hate on the auspicious occasion of Diwali and demanding her resignation.

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The incident reportedly occurred around 1:45 pm on Saturday, after which an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officer filed a formal complaint with Pune City Police.

On Sunday, Kulkarni led a morcha of Hindutva activists to Shaniwarwada and ‘purified’ the spot with cow urine where some Muslims had offered namaz.

Kulkarni had said, “If the Muslims are offering namaz inside a historical place like Shaniwarwada, then Hindus should also be allowed to perform ”aarti” in mosques.”

On Sunday, Kulkarni shared the video on X and called for a protest later in the day against the alleged incident at the historic fort, built in 1732, which served as the seat of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire until 1818.

"This is a matter of concern and anger for every Punekar. What exactly is the Pune administration doing? Where is the respect for our heritage sites disappearing? Come, let us all unite and honour our culture," she said in the post.

Oppositions Reaction 

Maharashtra Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe, “At a time when farmers in Marathawada have been hit hard by floods and there’s a need to help them tide over this crisis, Kulkarni is trying to divert the attention of the people by indulging in hatemongering.” 

“Farmer families have no money to celebrate Diwali. The state government has stopped the Anandacha Shide welfare scheme. The farmers are not getting any help…When Hindus celebrate Diwali, they distribute joy among their brethren but the MP is distributing hate. A people’s representative is expected to fight for the people and not against their interest,” said Londhe, pressing for her resignation.

AAP spokesperson Mukund Kirdat said,”It seems whatever Kulkarni did was to impress her bosses in Delhi. If she wants to indulge in anti-people activities, then she should resign and work for Sakal Hindu Samaj. An MP represents all sections of the party in Parliament. She seems to have forgotten her responsibility."

Social activist Manav Kamble, who heads the Nagarik Haqq Suraksha Samaiti, said, “Medha Kulkarni went to Shaniwarwda and purified the spot where ”namaz.” I want to tell her that Bajirao Peshwe used to bring Mastani in Shaniwarwada. If we read the history books, Mastani, a Muslim woman, used to stay in Shaniwarwada. Then, will Medha Kulkarni purify the entire Shaniwarwada ? Actually, Kulkarni does not deserve to be the Rajya Sabha MP. She has done a highly condemnable act. She won’t resign on her own, Puneites will have to force her to resign.”

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Activist Vishwambhar Choudhari said, “Puneites are hassled by traffic jams, piled up garbage, rising crime and gangwar…But BJP MP Medha Kulkarni is trying to ”purify” Shaniwarwada. She is searching for ”green” colour in some corner and covering it with saffron colour. This is her favourite achievement. Even her party colleague, Lok Sabha MP Murlidhar Mohol is busy helping builders get prime pieces of land.”

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