A short video that went viral showed people from the Muslim community offering namaz inside Pune’s old Shaniwar Wada fort. The video sparked angry reactions and a political protest. BJP workers, led by Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni, went to the fort and performed a “purification ritual.” They sprinkled cow urine and cow dung where the prayers were said to have taken place.

Kulkarni posted the video on X and called for a protest the same day. She said the incident upset many people in Pune and asked why the administration did not protect the heritage site. Shaniwar Wada, built in 1732, was the seat of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire and is an important historical place for many locals.

Kulkarni told reporters she had shared the video after getting it the day before. She said she contacted the state archaeology department, which told her the people in the video were asked to leave. Kulkarni said her group protested to stop what she called possible “encroachment” by religious activities at the site.

She said Shaniwar Wada is part of the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and that religious rituals by any single community should not be allowed there.

Some protesters also targeted a nearby dargah (a Muslim shrine), calling for its removal. Police stepped in and used mild force to break up the crowd. There were clashes between protesters and officers, and it took about two hours to restore order.

The incident drew criticism from other politicians. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Ajit Pawar, accused Kulkarni of trying to create religious tension. NCP spokesperson Rupali Patil Thombare said Shaniwar Wada belongs to all residents of Pune and that a case should be filed against Kulkarni.

Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane said Shaniwar Wada has special historical importance and argued that prayers should be held only at designated religious places. He compared the situation to other places of worship to explain why people felt upset.

Leaders from other parties also reacted strongly. Abu Asim Azmi of the Maharashtra Samajwadi Party condemned the purification ritual and warned it would not be tolerated.