Maharashtra: Clashes broke out late Tuesday night during the demolition of an unauthorised dargah in Maharashtra’s Nashik city, resulting in injuries to 21 police personnel and damage to three police vehicles. The violence occurred near Satpeer Baba Dargah in the Kathe Galli area after the Nashik Municipal Corporation began demolishing the structure, which had been declared illegal by the Bombay High Court.
Police said that a large mob gathered near Usmania Chowk around 11.30 pm to oppose the demolition and began pelting stones. Officers and Muslim community leaders present tried to pacify the crowd, but were unsuccessful. The police responded with a lathi charge and tear gas to disperse the mob and bring the situation under control.
Nashik Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik told The New Indian Express that the trustees of the Satpeer Baba Dargah had begun the process of removing the structure themselves following the High Court order. However, despite the trustees' cooperation, unrest erupted when a crowd arrived from another direction.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Kirankumar Chavan explained that local residents and the dargah trustees had agreed to remove the structure, and a group had assembled at 11 pm on Tuesday to supervise the development. At the same time, another group arrived from Usmania Chowk and created chaos. Despite efforts by trustees, respected citizens, and senior police officers to calm the situation, the mob turned violent, attacking police and damaging vehicles.
Police said 15 people were detained, and 57 motorcycles belonging to suspects were seized. The demolition resumed early Wednesday at 5.30 am with the involvement of around 50 municipal personnel. Heavy police deployment remains in the Kathe Galli area, with traffic diversions implemented for security.
Authorities stated that a 15-day notice had been issued prior to the demolition. In February, the Nashik Municipal Corporation's anti-encroachment team had cleared several unauthorised structures around the dargah. However, members of Hindutva organisations and local residents demanded that the dargah itself also be removed, claiming it was unauthorised.
Nashik Central MLA Devyani Pharande had earlier voiced concerns that the February demolition drive was incomplete and that the entire site needed to be cleared.