Durgadi Fort (Photo: Mumbaitak)
On December 10, the Kalyan District and Sessions Court dismissed a 48-year-old legal battle over the historic Durgadi Fort in Maharashtra’s Kalyan district. The court concluded that the fort is home to a Durga Mata temple, rejecting claims by the Majlish-e-Mushavreen Masjid Trust that it was a mosque and a Waqf property.
Decades-Long Legal Battle
The dispute over Durgadi Fort, which holds historical significance from the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, dates back nearly half a century. The Majlish-e-Mushavreen Masjid Trust argued that the site was a mosque and that the property was erroneously identified as a Hindu religious site. However, Senior Division Judge A.S. Lanjewar ruled in favour of the Hindu community, dismissing requests to transfer the case from the Welfare Court to the Waqf Board.
Petitioner Dinesh Deshmukh, president of the Hindu Manch, described the ruling as a momentous victory. Speaking at the Durgadi Fort, he stated, “The case has been ongoing for 50 years. Initially heard in the Thane District Court, it was later transferred to the Kalyan District and Sessions Court. This decision reaffirms the cultural and religious identity of the fort.”
Historical and Legal Context
In 1971, the Thane District Collector had declared the site a Hindu temple. However, an application filed shortly thereafter sought to reclassify it as a mosque, prompting further inspections and legal inquiries. Advocate Bhausaheb Modak, representing the Hindu community, presented key architectural evidence, including temple windows and a chauthara (platform) traditionally used for Hindu idol worship. These findings contributed significantly to the court’s decision.
Shiv Sena’s Reaction
The Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) lauded the ruling, calling it a major victory for Hindus and Hindutva. In an official statement on X, the party declared:
“The Kalyan District and Sessions Court has today delivered an important verdict that the historic Durgadi Fort of Kalyan is not a mosque but a temple of Goddess Durga. This is the fruit of blessings given by Mother Durga at Durgadi Fort.”
The party credited leaders such as Balasaheb Thackeray, Dharamveer Anand Dighe, and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for their relentless advocacy. “Shiv Sena leaders have long supported the temple’s rightful claim. Balasaheb Thackeray initiated the Navratri festival at Durgadi Fort, and Eknath Shinde performed Aarti along with Shiv Sainiks at the fort,” the statement added.
Allegations of Unauthorised Construction
Reports also surfaced about unauthorised construction at the fort by Muslim groups, including the painting of structures in white and green and the alleged construction of a mosque. Activists claimed that local authorities, including the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation and senior police officials, failed to address the issue and instead discouraged Hindu protests.
Images shared by local sources showed green paint on trees, stones, and steps leading to the fort, further fueling the controversy.
Legal Representation and Verdict
Advocates Bhikaji Salvi, Suresh Patwardhan, Jayesh Salvi, and Sachin Kulkarni represented the Hindu community in court. The court firmly rejected the Masjid Trust’s appeal to transfer the case to the Waqf Board, reaffirming that Durgadi Fort is a temple dedicated to Goddess Durga.
Historical Significance of Durgadi Fort
Durgadi Fort holds a special place in Maharashtra’s history as a site linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. According to historical accounts, Shivaji Maharaj himself visited the fort, and it served as a bastion of Hindu Swarajya. The ruling not only resolves a long-standing legal battle but also underscores the fort’s cultural and historical importance.
With this decision, the Hindu community has achieved a significant milestone, bringing an end to a protracted struggle over one of Maharashtra’s most revered landmarks.
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