Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde sparked controversy by performing a Hindu ritual at Haji Malang Dargah during Urs celebrations, placing a saffron chadar with Hindu symbols on the tomb.
The move, widely seen as a provocation, has drawn backlash from the Muslim community, raising concerns over the state’s role in advancing a Hindutva agenda.
Footage shows Hindutva groups waving saffron flags and chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ inside the dargah. The site, a symbol of religious harmony, is believed to be the resting place of 12th-century Sufi saint Hazrat Haji Abdul Rahman. However, Hindu groups claim it was originally a temple dedicated to Machindranath.
The dispute dates back to 1817, with renewed tensions after Shinde vowed in January 2024 to “liberate” the site. Historical records, including the Gazetteers of Bombay Presidency (1882) and the Maharashtra government’s own website, recognise it as a dargah.
Muslim organisations condemned the act, accusing the government of attempting to alter the shrine’s religious identity. Videos circulating online show police inaction, prompting demands for an investigation. Activists warn that communalising religious sites risks further unrest.
As political and religious leaders call for restraint, locals urge preserving the dargah’s legacy of unity. The Maharashtra government has yet to issue an official statement.
