In a recent incident at Vishalgad Fort in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, violence erupted following a call by Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje, a descendant of Shivaji Maharaj and former Rajya Sabha MP, to remove alleged encroachments harming the fort’s sanctity. The conflict led to the vandalization of properties owned by Muslim residents and a local mosque in the nearby village of Gajapur.
Background
The controversy began when Sambhajiraje and his supporters, who identify as “Shiv bhakts,” gathered to clear encroachments near the fort. The Maratha leader took matters into his own hands after accusing the government of failing to address the issue. He claimed that out of 158 encroachments, only six were under litigation, questioning why no action was taken against the others. His actions were followed by violence in Gajapur, located 3 km from the fort.
Government and Political Reactions
Following the violence, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde intervened, assuring Sambhajiraje of action against the encroachments. Shinde later visited Kolhapur to assess the situation. Meanwhile, the Mahayuti government, comprising the Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP, had previously allocated Rs 1.17 crore for clearing illegal structures at the fort, claiming progress in December last year.
Sambhajiraje’s father, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, a Congress MP from Kolhapur, condemned the violence and criticized the administration and police for their delayed action. He emphasized the need to prevent such incidents by timely government intervention.
Communal and Political Implications
The vandalism at Gajapur, where residents reportedly had no link to the encroachments, raised concerns about communal tensions. Sambhajiraje denied any communal motive, asserting the intention to remove all encroachments, regardless of the encroachers’ religion. He emphasized his commitment to secularism and denounced violence.
Shahu Maharaj, along with other Congress members, called for strict action against the perpetrators. The party planned to send a delegation led by Naseem Khan to meet Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla. Leader of the Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar suggested that such incidents might be orchestrated ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls.
Future Implications
Speculation arose about Sambhajiraje’s potential candidacy in the forthcoming Assembly elections, especially given the past rumors of his political ambitions with his outfit, Swarajya. AIMIM leader Imtiyaz Jaleel announced a protest march in Kolhapur, further highlighting the political sensitivity of the issue.
Sambhajiraje reiterated that the administration’s inaction was the root cause of the violence, aligning his stance with his father’s call for justice and responsible governance. Both leaders denounced the violence and emphasized the need for lawful and timely resolution of disputes to prevent communal and social unrest.
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