Trustees of Chhota Shaikh Salla Dargah Trust on Saturday assured the PMC and Pune City Police that they would themselves remove the illegal construction at the place of worship in Kasba Peth area.
Tension prevailed in the city as a large number of people from the Muslim community from across the city began gathering at the dargah from Friday night and in the daytime on Saturday following “rumours” that PMC would demolish the alleged illegal structure at the religious place. Thereupon, a huge police force was deployed in the area to prevent violation of law and order.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Sandeep Singh Gill, who monitored the situation on the ground, appealed to people to maintain peace and ensured that no untoward incident took place. When the situation became tense, additional police force was called in. Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar visited the spot and urged people to not pay heed to rumours.
The crowds dispersed from the spot only around 5 pm on Saturday. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and BJP have been claiming that the dargah was built on a temple (Punyeshwar) during the Mughal era. They also claim that as per the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) there is evidence of a temple at the dargah site.
The issue was raised in the Kasba bypoll as it falls in its jurisdiction. A few months ago, Hindutva groups and BJP leader Nitesh Rane had held a protest outside civic headquarters against PMC for delaying action against the alleged illegal structure at the dargah.
Last month, PMC had served notice to the trustee of the religious structure over the illegal construction in its premises and warned of action against it.
A civic officer said that a final order by the court in the case is awaited and action was currently limited only to the illegal infrastructure developed in premises.
Meanwhile, a large number of Hindus celebrated Mahashivratri in Kasba Peth on Friday, where they pledged to restore the Punyeshwar temple at the dargah site.
On Saturday, PMC and police authorities held a meeting with trustees of the dargah. A civic officer said the trustees have agreed to remove the illegal structure themselves. “They have said no damage should be caused to the main religious structure as mentioned in the government gazette of 1927. Action should be limited to the illegal structure that came up at the new premises after PMC issued a “work stop” notice in 2019,” officials said.
“If the court order is in favour of trust, the PMC will have to restore the damaged structure and will help the trust take up legal work through CSR funds. This was the condition laid down by the trust for action against illegal structure in premises,” officials said. Meanwhile, no action was taken on Saturday against the alleged illegal structure at the site.