– Ahmed Noor Qureshi
Jalna: A small village, Anwa in Jalna district, has turned into the epicentre of communal tension after a 12th-century Mahadev temple was allegedly desecrated on September 19. A person had reportedly thrown pieces of meat inside the temple, triggering outrage.
Following the incident, right-wing activists staged protests and called for a bandh in the village. During these protests, inflammatory speeches were made targeting the Muslim community, with abusive language and slogans being raised.
Police investigations, however, led to the arrest of 38-year-old Nandkishor Suresh Wadgaonkar, a resident of the same village. CCTV footage from cameras installed at the temple confirmed his involvement. According to Paradh police station officer Santosh Mane, Wadgaonkar, who lives near the temple, was allegedly upset after authorities denied him permission to construct a house near the temple premises. This, along with other grievances, is suspected to have driven him to commit the act.
Despite the arrest, right-wing groups rejected the police’s findings, accusing the authorities of shielding the “real culprits” and vowing to hold a Jan Akrosh Morcha. They questioned why a Hindu man was held responsible and escalated communal rhetoric. One of the speakers, Gayatri Devi, delivered a hate speech against Muslims during the agitation.
The tension forced many Muslim families to flee the village out of fear. Hundreds of students from a minority-run BHMS and ITI colleges also vacated their hostels and returned home. Concerned villagers later approached the Additional Superintendent of Police Ayush Nopany, demanding action against right-wing activists who, they alleged, had “vitiated the atmosphere and abused Muslims.”
The September 19 incident has revived memories of another communal flashpoint in the area. On March 23, 2023, Imam Zakir Sayyad Khaja of Anwa village was attacked by unidentified assailants while reading the Quran in a mosque. The attackers demanded he chant “Jai Shri Ram,” and upon his refusal, assaulted him with a sharp blade and cut his beard.
Local residents and community leaders believe the recent events are part of a larger conspiracy to inflame communal passions in the region.
