Sarasbaug is the latest battleground in Pune. The public demands accountability for the incidents at Sarasbaug Ganesh temple. Two years ago ‘peacefuls’ offered namaz illegally at the temple grounds. Yet, it took 2 years for a formal complaint and action to be taken. In contrast, a young Hindu man was arrested within 24 hours for organizing a Mass Friday Aarti at the temple. Let’s delve into these incidents, revealing a troubling trend at Sarasbaug!
Sarasbaug and Illegal Namaz
FIR lodged against 6 people for #Izlamization of historic #SarasBaug in Pune!#Jihadis shown condoms to Hindu girls,molested many, squatted Shiv Temple at Saras Baug, offered Namaz at Shiv Mandir but @CPPuneCity lodged FIR against Hindu youths Akshay Dhole Patil n Ninad Sanar for… pic.twitter.com/s3DzQW8g9z
— Legal Rights Observatory- LRO (@LegalLro) July 12, 2024
Two years ago, on 5th May 2022, five to six unidentified persons offered namaz on the lawns near the Pune Municipal Corporation shed behind the Ganesh temple in Sarasbaug. This act was a clear violation of the guidelines set by the PMC garden superintendent. Yet, no action was taken for two years due to a failure to lodge a case against the offenders.
Police constable Sandeep Godse filed an FIR on 11th July 2024. The constable cited unlawful assembly and intentions to incite communal tensions in this complaint. Thus, it seems that the sanctity of Hindu temples in Maharashtra was trampled and for 2 years no complaint or action was taken! It appears that ‘peacefuls’ were allowed to go unchecked by law and order due to the lack of legal actions. Many Sanatanis are questioning the delayed response and their reluctance to take swift action against violations by non-Hindu groups.
Rapid Response Against Sarasbaug Aarti Organizer
पुणेकरांनो जागे व्हा ……
Stand With #SangramDholePatil @punekarnews @PuneCityLife @Core_punekar @thatPunekar @WeArePunekar #SarasBaug #SangramDholePatil pic.twitter.com/ZewOFLBM2K
— Aditya Arun Dixit (@Dixit_AdityaBJP) July 11, 2024
In stark contrast to the delayed action against the namaz incident, the Pune Police acted swiftly against two Hindu men for organizing a Mass Friday Aarti. On 5th July 2024, Akshay (Sangram) Dhole Patil and Ninad Sanar were taken into police custody. Their crime was of drawing a crowd in front of the Ganesh Idol at Sarasbaug. They were arrested and warned within 24 hours of the Aarti. Many question why it took two years to lodge a complaint that violated PMC guidelines and 24 hours to do an aarti at a temple!
BJP leaders, including Sunil Deodhar and Union Minister Muralidhar Mohol, have spoken out against this arrest. They urge the authorities to quash the FIR against Patil & others and pursue those violating rules. Moreover, they emphasized the need to stop the aggression of illegal settlers who violate the sanctity of Hindu temples.
‘Peaceful’ And Psychological Warfare
Offering namaz in public spaces is not an act of worship. ‘Peacefuls’ violate sacred spaces of other religions and society as a psychological tactic aimed at asserting dominance. Hindu traditions and temples face this ‘peaceful’ attitude even more. The Sarasbaug Namaz incident is a prime example of this strategy. By offering namaz at a sacred Ganesh mandir, the perpetrators aimed to undermine the sanctity of Hindu places of worship and its practices.
The delayed FIR or response from the authorities further emboldens such actions. It sends a dangerous message. It displays a tolerant mindset against violations by non-Hindu groups. This selective enforcement of the law reveals a systemic bias against the Hindu majority, which needs to be addressed.
Unity Is Pivotal To Community Strength
Pune Police @CPPuneCity crackdown on #Hindus resisting illegal namaz at #SarasBaug continues with full force; another Hindu activist Ninad Sanas summoned at Kothrud PS for statement as FIR lodged against him for arranging Shiv Vandana at Saras Baug to oppose #Islamisation of… pic.twitter.com/B3oJGM5jOe
— Legal Rights Observatory- LRO (@LegalLro) July 11, 2024
The incidents of Sarasbaug must help Sanatanis awaken to reality. Radicals challenge their way of life every day! Thus, to counter the aggressive psychological fear-mongering habits of the zealots, Sanatanis need to step up to protect their traditions. Because every election cycle, caste lines or regional divides segment the Hindu community. Thereby, weakening the strength of the Hindu majority by dividing it into various minor segments.
Consequently, the protectors of Dharma always find themselves at the front of a civilizational war with a divided Sanatani community. Don’t false narratives for petty political gains weaken the collective strength of the Hindu majority. Hindus must stand together to protect their right to exist. Else ‘Hindu Hinsak Hai’ will reverberate in the parliament while Hindu votes are swayed by caste politics.