An Indian member of parliament is facing criticism for “purifying” a historical spot with dung and urine from a cow after Muslim women offered prayers there.
Medha Kulkarni, from prime minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), marched with some Hindu activists to the historical Shaiwarwada fort in Pune, Maharashtra after video of Muslim women visitors offering prayers at the site was shared widely on social media.
The lawmaker was seen “cleaning” the spot with urine and dung from a cow – an animal held sacred by many Hindus – as part of a “purification” ritual against Muslim prayers. She also chanted a prayer to a Hindu deity in her protest.
“This site is not just a historical monument but a symbol of Maratha pride. No one should indulge in acts that hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community,” she said during the act, on Sunday.
Built in 1736, the fort was considered the centre of the Peshwa power – the office of chief minister among the Maratha people of India. It was destroyed by a fire in 1828.
Maharashtra, India’s third largest state which is home to the financial capital Mumbai, has seen varying political fights along religious lines with the state being ruled by Hindu majority coalition between Mr Modi’s BJP and regional leader Eknath Shinde.
Police in Pune registered a criminal case against three unidentified women who were seen in the video for allegedly violating restrictions applicable to protected monuments.
Asked why she thought the spot had become “impure” after women from another religion offered prayers, Ms Kulkarni told The Indian Express: “Shaniwarwada is an ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) protected historical monument. It is a symbol of Hindavi Swaraj (self-rule by Indian people) set up by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. We cannot allow anyone to offer namaz here. It is not a mosque.” Shivaji is revered in western India as a Hindu ruler who fought the Mughals and established a Maratha kingdom.
She doubled down on her claim and said if someone wants to offer namaz in this manner, then Hindus should also be permitted to perform their rituals in mosques or Taj Mahal, a mausoleum built by a Mughal ruler.
Ms Kulkarni has been facing backlash from the state’s opposition leaders and even her political allies for stoking religious tensions.
“Some Muslim women offered prayers inside Shaniwarwada after which some BJP members went there and ‘purified’ the spot with cow urine. These people should remember that even Mastani had stayed in Shaniwarwada,” said Sachin Sawant, a senior spokesperson of the Congress party in Maharashtra, referring to the wife of the historical figure.
Mr Sawant is a leader in BJP’s ally Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) who has also demanded strict action against her.
He added: “If those women invoke the name of the Almighty at such a place, it starts hurting your stomachs. Has anyone stopped you from sitting there and meditating?”
“This seems to be a clear attempt to polarise Hindu voters just ahead of local civic body polls. This action to create bitterness among communities, especially during a festival like Diwali, is condemnable,” said Mukund Kirdat, a spokesperson for Aam Aadmi Party in Maharashtra.
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