The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) shut down the city’s historic Sarasbaug Garden on June 8 a day after Bakrid following a formal complaint by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni, who raised serious concerns about activities allegedly disrespecting Hindu religious sentiments near the Siddhivinayak Ganesh Mandir, a sacred 18th-century Mandir within the park complex.
The closure, coming in the immediate aftermath of Bakrid (Eid al-Adha) celebrations, sparked protests from sections of the Muslim community. However, prominent voices from Pune’s Hindu organisations and civil society have defended the action, citing repeated instances of disregard for Hindu beliefs and Mandir sanctity in what is regarded as a historic religious site of immense cultural value.
Built during the Peshwa era, the Sarasbaug Siddhivinayak Mandir is not just a tourist landmark but a deeply revered spiritual center for lakhs of devotees across Maharashtra. For Hindus, especially residents of Pune, Sarasbaug is synonymous with divine faith, heritage, and spiritual observance. The Mandir sees massive footfalls daily, especially during Ganesh Jayanti, Chaturthi, and Sankashti.
For years, Hindu groups have raised concerns about Eid gatherings and alleged meat consumption in the park area adjacent to the Mandir, particularly during Basi Eid — the day following Bakrid. While Sarasbaug remains a public garden, activists say the desecration of the Mandir’s surroundings, through activities insensitive to Hindu customs, must not be ignored.
“It is not about opposing any community. But Sarasbaug is a sacred site, not just a park. Bringing meat here during Eid celebrations is an affront to Hindu beliefs,” said Sunil Gokhale, a member of the Sarasbaug Mandir Devotees Forum. “If such things happened outside a mosque or dargah, would the Muslim community tolerate it?”
BJP MP Medha Kulkarni, in her letter to the PMC, did not demand a permanent ban or blanket exclusion of any group but urged officials to take proactive steps to maintain religious harmony by ensuring the sanctity of the Mandir premises is not violated.
“Sarasbaug holds a sacred Ganesh Mandir from the Peshwa era. Each year, members of the Muslim community gather in large numbers after Eid, and reports suggest they bring non-vegetarian food, which hurts Hindu religious sentiments,” she wrote. “There is a likelihood of conflict if such gatherings coincide with Mandir events.”
She clarified her stance in media interviews: “This is not about communalism but about respect. When a Mandir is located within the park, we must maintain its sanctity. Just as Hindus show restraint in mosque premises, similar respect should be expected near Hindu Mandirs.”
Hindu groups argue that Sarasbaug, despite being maintained by the PMC as a public space, cannot be treated like an ordinary park due to the presence of the Ganpati Mandir, which gives the site a unique religious status. They insist that religious coexistence must be rooted in mutual respect, not assertion through public display.
“We are not objecting to Muslims celebrating Eid. But why choose this specific location every year, next to a Mandir, and bring food that is seen as ritually impure by Hindu standards?” questioned Dr. Rajashree Deshpande, a historian and Mandir volunteer. “It appears more like a provocation than a coincidence, repeated year after year.”
Critics from Hindu organisations have pointed out what they call selective outrage and media bias. They argue that if Hindu sentiments were hurt in any minority-dominated area, the reactions would be swift and unforgiving. “Why is it that when Hindus raise concerns, it’s labelled communal, but when minorities complain, it’s called secularism?” asked Vinod Patil, convenor of Pune Hindu Raksha Manch.
He added: “Would any Muslim-majority country allow such a public celebration involving beef near a mosque or a shrine of national importance? In India, tolerance is expected only from Hindus. Enough is enough.”
Many within the Hindu community are demanding that the PMC formulate clear guidelines for conduct in mixed-use heritage-religious-public spaces. “Just like certain etiquettes are maintained in churches, mosques, and gurdwaras, Mandirs too must be protected from disrespect — even if they happen to be inside public parks,” said Advocate Shailesh Kulkarni, a Mandir trust member.
He recommended fencing off the Mandir area further and demarcating a religious buffer zone around it to ensure that visitors understand they are near a sacred space.
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