Will You Be Fine With Hanuman Chalisa Chants At Haji Ali?' Nitesh Rane On Namaz At Pune Fort

Last Updated:October 20, 2025, 17:23 IST

Protests erupted in Pune after a video showed Muslim women offering namaz at Shaniwar Wada. Nitesh Rane and Medha Kulkarni justified the protests, sparking debate

Capture from the video showing some Muslim women offering Namaz. (Medha Kulkarni/X)

A day after protests erupted over a video showing some Muslim women offering namaz at the historical Shaniwar Wada in Maharashtra’s Pune city, Minister Nitesh Rane has justified the protests and said, “Will you be fine with Hindus going to Haji Ali and chanting Hanuman Chalisa?"

“If you want to offer namaz there, will you be fine with Hindus going to Haji Ali and chanting Hanuman Chalisa? Will your sentiments not be hurt? One should offer prayers only at the designated places. If Hindu workers raised their voice, then it is correct," said Rane.

The viral video was shared by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni.

While leading a protest, she told reporters, “This is unfortunate. Shaniwar Wada is not the place to offer namaz. We urge the administration to take strict action against those involved."

The protesters, along with activists from some Hindu outfits, organised by the Patit Pavan Sanghatna and other Hindu organisations, later “purified" the spot where the Muslim women visitors had offered namaz.

According to PTI, the protesters sprinkled cow urine at the site and offered ‘Shiv Vandana’ (a Hindu prayer) in an effort to “purify" the site.

In response, SP MLA Abu Asim Azmi condemned the “purification" move and told ANI, “The BJP MP who cleaned the place where Namaz was offered in Pune should fear Allah, or whatever name she uses for the Almighty, she should fear Him. Insulting someone’s worship in this manner is not even worthy of condemnation—it is a far more serious act. The Muslims of this very country prostrate on this very soil, but these hate-mongers do not like it."

Speaking on the issue, Deputy Commissioner of Police Krushikesh Rawale said the site is under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). “We will speak to the ASI and will take further action after that," he said.

Built in 1732, Shaniwar Wada was the seat of the Peshwas of the Maratha Confederacy until 1818. The fort was largely destroyed in 1828 by an unexplained fire. The rest of the structures are now maintained as a tourist site.

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