Kolhapur, Maharashtra : The Administration has re-started the work of removing encroachments on Vishalgad, from 31.05.2025. Historically significant Vishalgad has been caught in the controversy of encroachments since past few months. Finally, the administration has re-started the work to remove encroachments as per the Court’s orders. The administration has taken such steps to preserve the ancient heritage and to take action within the framework of law.
1.Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis issued instructions to the District Collector of Kolhapur to make the fort free of encroachments before 31.05.2025.
2. That time limit is over now. The district administration had taken a review of the encroachments issue. The Kolhapur Police have hiked up patrolling on Vishalgad.
3. Last year, there were riots when a drive was to be undertaken to remove encroachments on Vishalgad, but from the next day i.e. from 15.07. 2024, the administration started removing encroachments and the work was going on for four days.
4. The administration removed 14 encroachments in the drive while the locals removed 10 encroachments on their own. The district administration had imposed curfew in the whole area of Vishalgad.
5. The Court heard the Archaeology Department’s side on the encroachments on Vishalgad and issued a notice to the encroachers to remove the unauthorised structures.
6. Many times, during the last year, complaints were received about unauthorised constructions on Vishalgad and 64 people had challenged the constructions in High Court.
7. There were suggestions to take action against 14 encroachments for which time limit of 15 days was fixed. The district administration later, informed that the encroachers were helping in removing encroachments.
What is the whole issue ?
On 14.03.2021, ‘Vishalgad Rakshan ani Atikraman Virodhi Kruti Samiti (a committee for the protection of Vishalgad and to fight against encroachments)’ was set up with the grace of Shri Mahalakshmidevi, amidst acclamation of ‘Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji’. On 16.03.2021, the action committee first held a press conference at Kolhapur and Mr Sunil Ghanwat, the spokesperson of the committee, brought forth the issue of encroachments on Vishalgad and the pathetic condition of temples and ‘samadhi’ located on Vishalgad. The unpardonable indifference of the Archaeology Department was exposed before the reporters, expressing a doubt whether the Archaeology Department was purposely ignoring the encroachments made by fanatics. Later, on 18.03.2021, an agitation was staged at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk, Kolhapur by ringing bells for all people to know about the issue. In the last three years, the committee has been following up the matter by submitting memorandum to CM, and the Forest Minister; staging agitations when the legislative assembly sessions are on; staging agitations in different districts and submitting memos locally, etc. Recently, the committee held demonstrations against slaughtering of animals at Vishalgad since it was destroying the sanctity of the place; therefore, no animal slaughtering took place on the day of Eid.
Source : Sanatan Prabhat
