BJP MP Medha Kulkarni has sparked outrage and protests after leading a so-called “purification” ceremony at Pune’s historic Shaniwar Wada, following a viral video of Muslim women offering namaz at the site, an act widely condemned as a hate-driven attempt to fuel Islamophobia under the guise of protecting heritage.
The march, organised on Sunday by the Patit Pavan Sanghatna and other Hindu outfits, saw Kulkarni and her supporters entering the monument and performing rituals with gaumutra (cow urine) and Shiv Vandana to “purify” the spot.
Before leading the demonstration, Kulkarni posted on X (formerly Twitter), “We will not allow namaz in Shaniwar Wada. The Hindu community has awakened. Chalo Shaniwar Wada.”
Kulkarni defended her actions, saying, “We performed Shiv Vandana and purified the place where namaz was offered. This was a symbolic protest to ensure Pune’s social harmony is not disturbed. The Sakal Hindu Samaj has also demanded police action in the matter,” The Indian Express quoted.
When asked if the site had become “impure” after the prayers, Kulkarni said, “Shaniwar Wada is an ASI-protected historical monument, a symbol of Hindavi Swaraj established by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It cannot be turned into a mosque. We will not permit namaz here,” IE quoted.
Kulkarni also referred to what she called an “illegal religious structure” outside Shaniwar Wada, remarking, “If people want to offer namaz there, then Hindus should also be allowed to perform aarti in mosques or even at the Taj Mahal.”
Her actions have drawn sharp condemnation from opposition parties, including NDA ally NCP, Congress, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who have accused the BJP of trying to polarise voters ahead of the upcoming Pune civic polls.
Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant criticised Kulkarni’s remarks and recalled the history of Shaniwar Wada: “Some Muslim women offered prayers inside Shaniwar Wada, after which BJP members went there to ‘purify’ the spot with cow urine. They should remember that even Mastani had stayed there. The Peshwas themselves replaced the Hindavi Swaraj flag with the Union Jack—does Kulkarni even know that?” The Indian Express quoted him as saying.
He further mocked Kulkarni’s opposition to the nearby dargah, saying, “That dargah has existed since the Peshwa period. What will she do with the air that passes over it and reaches her, purifying her nose too?”
Pune Congress president Arvind Shinde alleged that the incident was a political ploy. “Ahead of the civic elections, this is nothing but an attempt to polarise Hindu voters. The BJP does this deliberately before every poll to provoke reactions and consolidate votes,” he told The Indian Express.
He added that the dargah near Shaniwar Wada has historical legitimacy: “It has been there since the Peshwa period, and the Archaeological Survey of India has permitted it.”
NCP working president Rupali Thombare demanded action against Kulkarni, saying, “A police complaint should be filed for trying to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims, especially during Diwali. She should be restrained from such divisive acts.”
AAP spokesperson Mukund Kirdat echoed the sentiment, calling the act “a deliberate attempt to polarise Hindu voters” and “disturb social harmony during a festival.”
The post Outrage in Pune as BJP MP Medha Kulkarni ‘purifies’ Shaniwar Wada after Muslim women’s namaz appeared first on Maktoob media.
