Pune, Feb 5 (PTI) – A planned 'kirtan' by Namdev Shastri, the influential spiritual leader of the Vanjari community, was canceled on Friday after strong opposition from Maratha groups and a cautionary warning from local police.
Shastri, the head of Bhagwangad Sansthan, a key religious institution for the Vanjari community, recently expressed his support for state NCP minister Dhananjay Munde. Munde, who hails from the Vanjari community, is embroiled in controversy over the December 2024 murder of Santosh Deshmukh, a sarpanch from the Maratha community in Beed district.
Deshmukh was kidnapped, tortured, and killed after allegedly trying to prevent an extortion attempt on an energy company. Seven individuals have been arrested in connection with the murder, including Walmik Karad, a close aide to Munde, who has been charged in a related extortion case.
Shastri’s public defense of Munde, along with his subsequent show of solidarity with Deshmukh's family, who met him last weekend, escalated tensions. Maratha organizations, including the Akhand Maratha Samaj, objected to Shastri's actions. On February 1, the group formally requested that the trustees of Sri Kshetra Bhandara Dongar, where the kirtan was scheduled, cancel the event. They cited Shastri's controversial stance on the Munde case as the main reason for their opposition.
The Talegaon Dabhade police, also concerned about potential unrest, issued a warning to the temple trustees, suggesting that holding the kirtan could lead to a law-and-order issue. They indicated that members of Maratha groups might target Shastri if the event proceeded as planned.
In response to these concerns, the temple trustees decided to suspend the event. Balasaheb Kashid, a trustee, confirmed that after discussions with Shastri and considering the external pressures, the decision was made to cancel the kirtan. "Given the current situation, and the letter submitted by Maratha outfits along with the police's caution, we have decided to suspend the kirtan," he said.
The cancellation of the event underscores the growing tensions between the Vanjari and Maratha communities over the political and social implications of the ongoing murder investigation.
Shastri, the head of Bhagwangad Sansthan, a key religious institution for the Vanjari community, recently expressed his support for state NCP minister Dhananjay Munde. Munde, who hails from the Vanjari community, is embroiled in controversy over the December 2024 murder of Santosh Deshmukh, a sarpanch from the Maratha community in Beed district.
Deshmukh was kidnapped, tortured, and killed after allegedly trying to prevent an extortion attempt on an energy company. Seven individuals have been arrested in connection with the murder, including Walmik Karad, a close aide to Munde, who has been charged in a related extortion case.
Shastri’s public defense of Munde, along with his subsequent show of solidarity with Deshmukh's family, who met him last weekend, escalated tensions. Maratha organizations, including the Akhand Maratha Samaj, objected to Shastri's actions. On February 1, the group formally requested that the trustees of Sri Kshetra Bhandara Dongar, where the kirtan was scheduled, cancel the event. They cited Shastri's controversial stance on the Munde case as the main reason for their opposition.
The Talegaon Dabhade police, also concerned about potential unrest, issued a warning to the temple trustees, suggesting that holding the kirtan could lead to a law-and-order issue. They indicated that members of Maratha groups might target Shastri if the event proceeded as planned.
In response to these concerns, the temple trustees decided to suspend the event. Balasaheb Kashid, a trustee, confirmed that after discussions with Shastri and considering the external pressures, the decision was made to cancel the kirtan. "Given the current situation, and the letter submitted by Maratha outfits along with the police's caution, we have decided to suspend the kirtan," he said.
The cancellation of the event underscores the growing tensions between the Vanjari and Maratha communities over the political and social implications of the ongoing murder investigation.
