Maharashtra: Vishalgadh Fort anti-encroachment drive — Know how this became possible

In a classic example of better late than never, the Hindu community in Maharashtra has managed to undo a wrong perpetrated in the name of religion. The issue assumed great gravity as the wrong was committed on a legacy by the most venerated king of Maharashtra and all against the spirit of his feat.

The fort Vishalgad in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra stands as a beacon among many forts won, held and built by Chhatrapati Shivaji. The magnificent edifice stands witness to an outward valour, found hardly in the history of the world, shown by Baji Prabhu Deshpande.

However, the sanctity of the fort came under threat through innumerable encroachments by shady individuals.

These encroachments included shanties, shops and even residences. However, the worst encroachment came in the form of dargah supposedly of a so-called Muslim saint Rehan. In fact, the supposedly sent could have been an enemy of Chhatrapati Shivaji. Once the dargah and other encouragement came up, a large number of Muslims made Vishalgad there home.

The latest government survey pegs the number of encroachments on Vishalgad at 158. Large number of animal sacrifices, hundreds of tonnes of flesh and tonnes of liquor bottles where found in the survey. Some spurious businesses like Mumtaz Lodge were being run there. Even the historic tanks on the fort have come to end.

There are almost 28 temples on the fort of which 18 are almost destroyed while 10 are in dilapidated condition.

However, the dargah and mosque stand in good condition. How far this place was used for illegal and immoral activities can be gauged from the fact that the Guardian Minister of Kolhapur Hassan Mushrif alleged that notorious terrorist Yaseen Bhatkal who was the mastermind of German Bakery bomb blast at Pune in 2010 had come and stayed in one of the houses at Vishalgad.

It is not that all these went unchecked. Hindutva organisations and alert citizens where fighting against this encroachment on Vishalgad for the last 30 years. They took legal measures and carried out agitations. The fort falls under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the forest department of Maharashtra.

When the matter became intolerable, Hindutva organisations and the individuals who venerate Chhatrapati Shivaji gave a call for agitation to destroy the encroachments. Such was the force of their passion that former MP Chhatrapati Sambhaji, the descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji, joined the chorus. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Raje of Kolhapur himself participated in the agitation, he took the initiative and held discussions with the officials.

Curiously enough, Chhatrapati Shahu, father of Chhatrapati Sambhaji who is recently elected Congress MP from Kolhapur, advised caution and restraint.

However, field with the patient to protect their loved forts belonging to Chhatrapati Shivaji, the agitators walked on. However, 10 of the agitators fighting for the survival of the fort and its historic legacy were attacked with sharp weapons. This generated a response from the passionate crowd and the repercussions were felt in the Gazapur village near before. There were reports of violence. The administration and police, which hitherto became a mute spectator to the encroachments and spheres of activities, came into action and filed cases against 500 Hindutva activists. They included Chhatrapati Sambhaji also.

However, there is still no case filed against any encroacher.

On the contrary, Congress MP Chhatrapati Shahu went to Gazapur and met the so-called victims of the riot. There were even reports that he apologized to the survivors but he letter refused reports.

Whatever may be the case but the incidents led to an action by the administration. And after the efforts of them all, the encroachments were removed after a day-long action.

The encroachments comprised not a few but hundreds of houses and shops. The Muslims had built a superstition here since many years around the dargah that it fulfilled vows and established the trade of sacrificing cocks there.

However, 70 per cent of the devotees of this dargah are Hindus.

It is worth noting here that Vishwa Hindu Parishad spearheaded the campaign to remove this encroachment. Even the government had taken steps to remove the encroachments but the action was halted due to a court matter. Finally, and agitation took place on July 7 and July 14.

As expected MIM and constituents of INDI alliance became vocal in their support to the. encroachers. They were silent for so many years when the encroachments took place. After the incident, MIM announced to take out a march against the action of removing the encroachments. Former MP from Aurangabad Imtiaz Jaleel even bragged to come to Kolhapur and lead a massive mob. However, his statement drew sharp reactions from the Hindutva organisations who warned him of dire consequences if he even dared to do so.. it is also worth a mention here that the blame for this sorry state of affairs lies with the earlier governments which provided assistance through Awas Yojana for illegal residences on the land.

Fortunately, enough political leaders across this spectrum welcomed this move. They supported the agitators with their just demands. Except for a few mischievous souls like Jitendra Awhad and other secular leaders everyone stood with the action because it came on the back of a court order which had clearly asked for the removal of the encroachments.

The Vishalgad case is a testimony to the many challenges ahead for Hindutva organisations as well as those who want the rule of law to prevail. Encroachments of the dargahs, houses, mazaar and tombs have risen in sharp number on all forts in Maharashtra. Notably, Pratapgad, and another fort, witness to the valour and achievement of Chhatrapati Shivaji, had fallen pray to the similar encroachment in the form of dargah. It was patronized by the successor governments in the state even after a long-fought legal battle by various activists. It was eventually destroyed last year when CM Eknath Shinde came to power.

The society in general words mostly apathetic in the past towards such miss adventures. However, as the sense of history and belonging continuous to rise among the masses, the new structures are objected to by people and Shivaji’s admirers when they go to the forts. The administration turns a blind eye to this, but all these encroachments should be removed quickly. Otherwise this will become a law and order problem in Maharashtra in the future.

History of Vishalgad

Vishalgad, also known as Khelna or Khilna, is a hill fort located in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. The fort has a rich history dating back to the 12th century. Vishalgad was built by the Shilahara dynasty, a Hindu kingdom that ruled over southern Maharashtra. It changed hands until Vishalgad was conquered by the Maratha Empire, led by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who used it as a strategic military outpost. It has a special space place in the Marathi history since this was the fort which was valiantly guarded by Baji Prabhu Deshpande along with only a handful office of his soldiers. When Chhatrapati Shivaji escape from a siege of the fort Panhala, he was destined for the Vishalgad. Baji Prabhu Deshpande stood like a rock in the Pavankhind ( valley) to thwart Siddhi Johar’s army in thousands. He laid down his life to ensure that Chhatrapati Shivaji reach Vishalgad without any harm and breathed his last only when he heard the short of the canon ball as was decided. This saga assumes an epic stature in the annals of the Maratha empire.