Pune Municipal Court stays construction of Dargah wall

Pune: The Municipal Court has issued a stay order against construction of wall of Shaikh Sallah Durgah which had collapsed earlier. The Court has asked the Municipality to present their case on October 11. In view of the ruins of Hindu temple found under the debris of the wall, Hindu organizations demanded that the site should be excavated.

The ruins were found near the banks of River Mutha while constructing the wall. Therefore, Hindus objected to even construction of security wall. A representation was given to the concerned. However, as the work continued, a petition was filed by a staunch Hindu in Pune Municipal Court to stop the construction work. Historians have sufficient evidence to prove that the Shaikh Sallah Durgah was Punyeshwar temple earlier. To unearth the history therefore, a demand was made for excavation at the site.

In the books published by Pune Municipality, the ‘Chhota’ and ‘Motha’ Shaikh Sallah Durgah are mentioned as Hindu temples

In the book ‘Pune Nagarsanstha Shatabdi Granth’ published in 1960 by Pune Municipality, it has been mentioned that there were ancient Hindu temples in place of ‘Motha Shaikh Sallah Durgah’ and ‘Chhota Shaikh Sallah Durgah’. Dr. M. P. Mangudkar is the author of this book. It has been clearly mentioned in this book that the Punyeshwar and Narayaneshwar temples on the banks of Mutha River were destroyed by Allauddin Khilaji and the dugahs were built. The interiors of the Durgahs and the pillars and sculpture also indicate that there were Hindu temples.