Encroachment removal on Vishalgad delayed due to pressure from the Guardian Minister – Vishalgad Defence and Anti-Encroachment Action Committee

The government should take action against the then District Collectors who misled the Hindus

After a significant protest by Shiv devotees on July 14th, the administration began removing encroachments on July 15th. When seeking the opinion of the Government Attorney General regarding the removal of encroachments, it was noted that encroachments could be removed except for those petitioners with adjournment orders from the High Court and other courts. The removal of encroachments began accordingly. However, the district administration has not yet removed the encroachments for petitioners with stay orders, despite local court directives to do so. Hindu devotees and Gad (Fort) lovers have repeatedly been misled with assurances that the matter was being resolved. The petitioners were able to obtain court stays only because of delays by the then Collector Rahul Rekhawar in removing the encroachments. The Vishalgad Protection and Anti-Encroachment Action Committee is demanding that the government take action against the former Collector Rekhawar for misleading the Hindu community and delaying the enforcement of court orders.

Vishalgad Defence and Anti-Encroachment Action Committee

Press Release : 17.07.2024

The government should take action against the then District Collectors who misled the Hindus

Encroachment removal on Vishalgad delayed due to pressure from the Guardian Minister – Vishalgad… pic.twitter.com/sKjz9JYSuB

— HinduJagrutiOrg (@HinduJagrutiOrg) July 17, 2024

In this regard, the then Collector Rahul Rekhawar had stated that encroachments could not be removed during the monsoon season, despite the local court’s order to do so. If this is the case, why are these encroachments being removed during the rainy season now? Additionally, he had told the Hindus that no action could be taken due to the adjournment in the High Court. However, it has now become clear that the stay order pertained to only about six encroachments. This suggests that the then Collector Rekhawar repeatedly misled the Hindu community. It appears that the administration does not make any decisions without consulting the Guardian Minister of the district. As a result, the encroachment issue has remained unresolved for so long due to the pressure from the Guardian Minister. This raises the question of whether the Guardian Minister of Kolhapur serves the entire community or only caters to the minorities.

The outbreak on July 14th is due to the finger-pointing and unjust attitude of the administration. Therefore, imposing robbery-like charges on protesting Hindus and arresting many innocent Hindus is very wrong. The cases against all Hindus should be withdrawn immediately. Additionally, on behalf of the Vishalgad Protection and Anti-Encroachment Action Committee, we demand that the ongoing campaign to remove encroachments should be completed by removing all encroachments on Vishalgad. The government should also immediately remove all encroachments on forts across the state.

In March 2021, the issue of encroachment on Vishalgad was first discussed by the ‘Vishalgad Protection and Anti-Encroachment Action Committee’. The committee presented evidence to journalists about the archaeology department’s inexcusable neglect of the encroachments on Vishalgad, as well as the dilapidated condition of the temples and samadhis. The committee has consistently made efforts through agitations, statements, and by raising this issue continuously during the assembly sessions.