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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis connected Wednesday (October 22, 2025) said authorities volition enactment against anyone violating the law, aft an FIR was registered against 3 unidentified women for allegedly offering namaz wrong the premises of Shaniwar Wada, a protected monument successful Pune.
“We volition instrumentality enactment against anyone who does thing without permission,” Mr. Fadnavis asserted, pursuing a contention triggered by a viral video of the incident. The clip sparked protests from BJP MP Medha Kulkarni and members of right-wing outfits, who staged demonstrations and performed ‘purification rituals’ astatine the tract connected Sunday. Police person since stepped up information astir the fort.
According to Pune City Police, the lawsuit was filed nether the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Rules, 1959, which prohibit activities that interruption restrictions astatine practice sites.
According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, and its Rules of 1959 prohibit immoderate spiritual activity, construction, oregon filming wrong protected monuments without anterior permission. The instrumentality besides defines prohibited areas wrong 100 metres and regulated areas wrong 200 metres of specified sites. Violations tin pull fines and imprisonment nether the Act.
The incidental reportedly occurred astir 1:45 p.m. connected Saturday, aft which an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) serviceman lodged a ceremonial ailment astatine Vishrambaug Police Station. “We person invoked the applicable conception of the AMASR Rules, which provides for penalties related to prohibited activities wrong protected monuments,” a elder constabulary serviceman said.
Built successful 1732 by Peshwa Bajirao I, Shaniwar Wada served arsenic the spot of the Maratha Empire’s Peshwas. Known for its architectural grandeur blending Mughal and Marathi styles, the fort was gutted by occurrence successful 1828. Its ruins stay a large practice tract nether ASI extortion and a taste landmark successful Pune.
Shiv Sena person Shaina NC backed the FIR, stressing that the contented should not beryllium communalised. “If anyone violates restrictions applicable to a protected monument, enactment needs to beryllium taken. This is not astir Hindu versus Muslim; it’s astir respecting ASI norms. Just arsenic nary 1 recites Hanuman Chalisa astatine Haji Ali Dargah retired of respect for faith, we indispensable support harmony. Hindus and Muslims person ever coexisted peacefully,” she said.
Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane besides weighed in, calling Shaniwar Wada “a awesome of Hindu valour and adjacent to the community’s heart.” He questioned whether Muslims would judge Hindus chanting Hanuman Chalisa astatine Haji Ali, and said prayers should beryllium offered lone astatine designated places. “If Hindu workers raised their voice, past it is correct,” helium said.
