A huge controversy erupted in Maharashtra after three women offered namaz at Pune's historic Shaniwarwada, a video of which went viral last week. Bharatiya Janata Party MP Medha Kulkarni was among people who held demonstrations against the move, and reportedly conducted purification rituals using ‘gaumutra’ (cow urine) at the spot where namaz was offered.
According to news agency ANI, a case was registered against three unidentified women who were purportedly seen offering namaz in a viral video. The clip, shared widely over the last two days, showed some women wearing hijab offering namaz at Shaniwarwada.
Shaniwarwada, the historic Pune site was built in 1732 and served as the seat of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire for years.
Video goes viral, sparks row
The video showing the women offering namaz was also shared Medha Kulkarni, who performed the "purification" ritual at the site. She posted the clip on Saturday and called for people to assemble at the site the next day to perform Shiva Vandana.
"Shaniwarwada will not hold Namaz recitation, the Hindu community has now awakened!," she said in a tweet, adding that the incident was a matter of concern and outrage for every "Punekar".
Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane also condemned the incident. Reacting to purification ritual by the BJP MP at Shaniwarwada, Rane said that the site was close to the Hindu community's heart.
{{/usCountry}}Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane also condemned the incident. Reacting to purification ritual by the BJP MP at Shaniwarwada, Rane said that the site was close to the Hindu community's heart.
{{/usCountry}}"If you want to offer namaz there, will you be fine with Hindus going to Haji Ali and chanting Hanuman Chalisa? Will your sentiments not be hurt?... One should offer prayers only at the designated places. If Hindu workers raised their voice, then it is correct," he told news agency ANI.
FIR over violating restrictions on protected monuments
Amid outrage over the clip, the Pune City Police reportedly said that an FIR has been filed under provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Rules, 1959, for violating rules and restrictions applicable to protected monuments.
"We have invoked the relevant section of the AMASR Rules, which provides for penalties related to prohibited activities within protected monuments," a police officer was quoted as saying.