On July 23, 2024, a fact-finding report was released by an all women platform named ‘Shanti Sathi Stri Sanghrsh’ (Women Protest for Peace) on the communal violence incident that took place in Vishalgad and Gajapur area in Shahuwadi taluka of Kolhapur district. The said report includes the background of the incident as well as the horror of the victims’ experiences by visiting the Gajapur village meeting with women, men and children, and raises certain key demands to the government, administration, and police department.
The fact-finding report provides a comprehensive account of the events leading up to and following the attacks. The report emphasises that the violence was primarily targeted at the minority Muslim community, amid ongoing tensions related to the removal of encroachments at the historic Vishalgad Fort. The issue, rooted in demands from various organizations over the past two years, was further complicated by court cases and administrative hurdles affecting both Hindu and Muslim businesses. Despite a court stay on the removal of encroachments, extremist Hindu organizations leveraged the anti-encroachment movement to incite violence against Muslims, culminating in a planned march and subsequent attacks.
The report details the brutal violence that erupted on 14 July 2024, when mobs armed with swords, knives, and hammers attacked Muslim homes and religious sites in Vishalgad and Gajapur. The attacks, characterized by looting, destruction, and harassment, left the Muslim community traumatized and fearing for their safety. The administrative response was criticized for its failure to prevent the violence and the perceived bias in handling the situation. Details of the visit by the representatives of the ‘INDIA’ coalition to the affected areas has also been included, which were regarding providing initial relief and demanding immediate government assistance and accountability. The report concludes with key findings and demands for an impartial investigation, strict action against perpetrators, and measures to prevent future incidents, highlighting the need for communal harmony and justice.
Details about the fact-finding report:
Background of the encroachment issue at Vishalgad Fort and the leadup to the violence- From the forum, Dr. Megha Pansare, Smt Bharati Powar, Rehana Mursal and Malika Sheikh visited the site of communal violence and spoke to the affected women and other villagers. The report ascertains that violence at Gajapur village was clearly done with a view to target the minority Muslim community.
The report states that for the past two years, various organizations have demanded the removal of 156 encroachments from the Vishalgad historical fort, an issue complicated by ongoing court cases. Both Hindu and Muslim communities run businesses at Vishalgad, but extremist Hindu organizations have used the anti-encroachment movement to target Muslims, promising economic benefits to Hindus. Tensions escalated when an order banning the killing of animals and cooking meat on the fort was enforced under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Despite a court stay on encroachment removal and subsequent legal battles over religious practices during festivals, the Muslim community faced significant administrative hurdles and celebrated Eid without permission.
In June 2024, a high court permitted the Muslim community to perform religious sacrifices during Bakri Eid and Urus, but local authorities initially resisted. Protests followed, with businesses closing for a day in Vishalgad. Amid this, Ravindra Padwal and other Hindutva leaders mobilized support for a campaign to remove encroachments, culminating in a planned march to Vishalgad in July 2024. Despite warnings of potential violence from the Muslim community and advice against interference due to ongoing legal proceedings, Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati persisted in his plans, prompting a Section 144 ban on gatherings to maintain law and order.
On 7 July 2024, a Maha Aarti was held at Vishalgad’s foothills by the Hindu community, demanding the removal of encroachments and immediate court hearings on the matter. Despite the government’s stance of auditing the Fort Conservation Committee’s use of funds and assessing encroachments, tensions escalated. Ravindra Padwal’s viral posts and the subsequent death of a local priest intensified the situation. Although the Vishwa Hindu Parishad distanced themselves publicly, their followers were involved. Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured a proper program addressing Shivbhakts’ emotions, while MP Shri Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj’s attempts to mediate with the administration failed, leading Sambhaji Raje to pursue an anti-encroachment movement.
The violence at Vishalgad- On 14 July, 2024, a mob of 50-60 people chanting “Jai Shree Ram” and armed with swords, knives, and hammers attacked Vishalgad, targeting the Malik Rehan Dargah and local Muslim homes. Despite the locked gates protecting the Dargah, they vandalized nearby properties, injured several people, and destroyed homes, prompting a fearful response from the Muslim community. Police intervened but took no action against the attackers. Sambhaji Raje arrived later, claiming he could not stop the violence, which he described as the rage of ‘Shivbhakts’, despite having been assured by the Chief Minister that anti-encroachment actions would be taken. The violence extended to Gajapur, where 2000 people continued the rampage, leaving the local Muslim community in fear.
The violence at Gajapur- As per the report, there were around 90 Muslim houses in the village but there are 42 Muslim houses in Musalmanwadi. a mob of around 2000 armed with swords, knives, and hammers attacked on 14 July, 2024. They broke into homes, destroyed property, looted valuables, and desecrated religious books. The mob also vandalized the local mosque and recorded their actions, forcing residents to chant “Jai Shree Ram.” Women instigators in saffron dresses encouraged more violence, challenging the men’s masculinity. Some attackers behaved lewdly, further terrorizing the residents. The administration tried to cover up the extent of the destruction by restricting access to outsiders and journalists.
Experiences of Women- The women of Musalmanwadi experienced extreme terror as a mob attacked their homes. In an attempt to prevent entry of the armed mob, they barricaded doors with furniture. Fearing for their children, they silenced them by stuffing dupattas in their mouth. The attackers forced the women to chant “Jai Shree Ram,” recorded them, and harassed them, taking photos and snatching jewellery. Many women and children fled to nearby farms and forests to escape. One woman, after giving a false Hindu name, was beaten when she couldn’t provide proof. Her house was set on fire, leaving her homeless and injured. Yakub Mujawar’s wife recounted their attack and her husband’s hospitalization. The community is traumatized, with many sending their daughters-in-law and children to relatives in safer areas. The report deemed the women to be feeling unprotected and worried about their future.
Administrative reactions post the violence- Late night of the eruption of violence, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Kolhapur to assess the situation at Vishalgad and ensure law and order. However, CM Shinde had rather permitted the authorities to reportedly continue removing encroachments at Vishalgad, involving both Hindu and Muslim families.
On the other hand, police had arrested 21 attackers, but Sambhaji Raje protested their arrest, demanding their release or his own arrest. However, Sambhaji Raje was himself not arrested for his role.
Representatives of the ‘INDIA’ coalition, led by Shri Shahu Chhatrapati Maharaj and Shri Satej Patil, had visited the affected area in Gajapur despite administrative resistance. They provided initial relief items and held an open meeting where the affected demanded immediate arrest of the attackers, compensation, and primary necessities. The report also stated that upon returning to Kolhapur, the ‘INDIA’ coalition representatives met with the District Collector, criticizing the administration for its failure at various levels and the delayed government aid. They demanded immediate government assistance for the violence-affected areas. Subsequently, the coalition sent the first aid on 17 July 2024. On 18 July, a ‘Shiv-Shahu Sadbhavna Yatra’ was organized in Kolhapur as a peaceful response to the violence, with many citizens participating to promote unity and secular values inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj.
Key findings of the report:
- Houses and shops of the Muslim minority community in Kolhapur were attacked due to an alleged controversial WhatsApp status. Thousands of youths from outside the city were involved, and the perpetrators have not yet been punished.
- The anti-encroachment campaign and subsequent brutal violence in Vishalgad-Gajapur were premeditated, with the political aim of creating religious polarization ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. This campaign targeted the Muslim minority community, intending to instil terror and fear and to disrupt the harmony between Hindu and Muslim communities.
- Locals reported that Ravindra Padwal from Pune’s ‘Samast Hindu Bandhav Samiti’, Sambhaji Raje Chhatrapati, and other leaders of Hindutva organizations were mute witnesses to the violence, and in some cases, supported it.
- During the violence, all components of the Maharashtra state administration, including the police, sided with the perpetrators. The chief minister and other administrative officers did not demonstrate any sensitivity toward preventing the violence.
- Women accompanying the perpetrators incited them to destroy homes and the mosque, which was deeply disturbing as they were encouraging the male counterparts to indulge in this violence.
Key demands raised by the report:
- Conduct an impartial investigation into the incidents by forming a Special Investigation Team.
- Arrest and take strict action against the masterminds, instigators, and all perpetrators of the violence. Compensation for damages done in this violence may be recovered from them.
- Immediately remove provocative videos on social media that incite religious hatred, violence, and communal strife and take legal action against individuals who produce and circulate such inflammatory content.
- District Police Chief who failed to prevent Vishalgad–Gajapur violence must be transferred. Action must be taken against police who did not prevent attackers from violence and those who did not take any action against them.
- Organize a thorough discussion involving people from all walks of life to address the problem and prevent future incidents.
- Establish a helpline to facilitate immediate response in case of similar incidents.
What is the ‘Shanti Sathi Stri Sangrash’?
The said platform of ‘Shanti Sathi Stri Sangrash’ came into existence following religion-based violence in Kolhapur in June, 2023, and comprised women of all castes and religions of Kolhapur. Through this platform, we are trying to draw attention to issues of peace and justice through silent demonstrations against hatred. The forum is working to fight for a safe world for women, and are trying to draw attention to issues of peace and justice through silent demonstrations against hatred.
The complete fact-finding report can be read as follows:
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