What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Hindu Voice Team: A fresh controversy has erupted in Pune after a video surfaced showing three Muslim women offering namaz inside the historic Shaniwar Wada fort — one of the most iconic monuments of the Maratha Empire. The incident has triggered intense debate over cultural preservation, secularism, and what several commentators describe as the “silent encroachment” of Hindu heritage sites across India.
The Incident
According to eyewitness accounts and footage shared on social media, three women were seen performing namaz within the premises of the Shaniwar Wada complex, a monument maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The act, though brief, stirred outrage among many locals who viewed it as an inappropriate use of a site that holds deep historical and cultural significance for Hindus.
In response, BJP Member of Parliament Medha Kulkarni visited the site the next day and performed a ritual of purification (shuddhikaran), saying her action was aimed at restoring the sanctity of the monument. “This was not a political act,” she told reporters, “but an assertion of our duty to protect the cultural and civilizational identity of Bharat.”
Historic Significance of Shaniwar Wada
Built in 1732 by Peshwa Bajirao I, Shaniwar Wada served as the political and administrative centre of the Maratha Empire until its fall in 1818. It stands as a powerful symbol of indigenous Hindu governance during a period when most of the subcontinent was under foreign rule.
The fort’s monumental gateway, courtyards, and fountains reflect Maratha architectural brilliance and the memory of Hindu sovereignty. Many citizens and historians view it as a sacred reminder of national pride and resistance to colonial and Mughal domination.
Thus, the offering of prayers associated with another religion within its premises was seen by critics as not merely a casual act, but a symbolic intrusion into a space that represents Hindu civilisational heritage.
Pattern of “Silent Encroachment”
The OpIndia report contextualizes the Shaniwar Wada episode as part of a wider national pattern in which open-air namaz or other religious practices have gradually expanded into public or heritage spaces.
Initially justified as temporary arrangements due to lack of mosque space, these open prayers — held in streets, parks, and public institutions — have, according to the report, evolved into a form of de facto claim over such sites.
It warns that once these practices become routine, they may be invoked as “evidence of continuous usage” in potential Waqf Board claims. The article calls this process a form of “silent encroachment,” wherein religious acts establish moral and later legal footholds over non-Islamic or public properties.
Cases Across India
The report cites multiple examples of alleged overreach by Waqf Boards in various states:
Madhya Pradesh (Makhni Village):
The state Waqf Board reportedly issued notices claiming around three acres of land, including private homes, farmland, and even a Shiva-linga area, on grounds that the land was historically donated for a graveyard. The residents have denied the claim and demanded documentary proof, which, according to the report, the board has yet to produce.
Karnataka (Srirangapatna Taluk):
The Karnataka Waqf Board has allegedly listed over 70 properties — including ASI-protected temples, government schools, and heritage structures — as Waqf land. The report warns that such expansive claims could effectively change the administrative and cultural ownership of entire historic zones.
The article argues that these instances form part of a consistent pattern in which ritual performance and bureaucratic assertion combine to transform historically Hindu or public spaces into claimed Waqf assets.
Legal and Administrative Context
Under the Waqf Act of 1995, once property is declared as Waqf, it becomes permanent, inalienable, and immune from sale or transfer. All disputes are directed to Waqf Tribunals rather than ordinary civil courts, a structure critics say creates imbalance and limits citizens’ ability to contest claims.
Recognizing the growing concerns, the Government of India has proposed amendments to the law. The Waqf Amendment Bill, supported by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report tabled in February 2025, seeks to introduce third-party audits, stricter verification of claims, and enhanced transparency in Waqf property registration.
The need for central oversight to prevent unilateral state-level notifications that bypass local land records or heritage protection laws.
Political and Social Reactions
While Medha Kulkarni’s shuddhikaran ritual drew support from Hindu groups, opposition parties and certain activists accused her of politicizing the event. However, Kulkarni dismissed such criticism, saying that “respecting the sanctity of our heritage cannot be a partisan issue.”
Public sentiment remains divided. Some citizens argue that offering a prayer in silence does not harm the monument and should not be over-interpreted, while others insist that religious activities of any kind — Hindu, Muslim, or otherwise — should be strictly prohibited at protected historical sites to maintain secular integrity.
The incident has revived a long-standing discussion on heritage secularism versus cultural preservation, especially in a country where religious identity is deeply intertwined with public life.
Selective Secularism Debate
The OpIndia report also points to what it calls “selective secularism,” claiming that while any Hindu ritual in or near a non-Hindu religious site sparks immediate outrage and administrative action, non-Hindu prayers at Hindu or national heritage monuments are often downplayed as expressions of inclusivity.
Analysts suggest this asymmetry reflects the enduring discomfort in public discourse over asserting Hindu cultural identity within the framework of a modern secular state.
Broader Civilisational Concerns
The article concludes by framing the Shaniwar Wada incident as more than an isolated event — describing it as “a warning” of how civilisations erode “not through invasion, but through ritual by ritual, concession by concession.” It calls for public vigilance and stricter legal measures to safeguard heritage spaces from both physical and symbolic encroachment.
As of now, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has not announced any formal inquiry or disciplinary action regarding the namaz video. However, local authorities have reportedly been instructed to ensure that religious activities of any kind are not permitted within the fort’s protected zones.
The Shaniwar Wada namaz incident has ignited a complex national conversation — blending issues of heritage conservation, minority rights, secularism, and the evolving reach of Waqf institutions. While some view it as an overreaction to a personal act of prayer, others see it as a symbolic test of how far India can go in protecting its historic and cultural identity without compromising its pluralist ethos.
(The above piece is written based on the article published by OpIndia. You can read the original piece HERE)
