Temples warn the government of statewide ghantanad protests, maha-aartis, signature campaigns and a mega-agitation in Mumbai
Pune, Maharashtra – Hundreds of major temple trusts across Pune and its neighbouring regions, including the prestigious Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Devasthan and the Ashtavinayak Committee, have launched a direct agitation against the proposed ‘Maharashtra Devasthan Inam Abolition (Draft) Act, 2026’.
🚨 Hundreds of major shrines across Maharashtra, including Bhimashankar and the Ashtavinayak temples, have united against the proposed Devasthan Act!
🔔 Statewide Ghantanad, Maha-Aartis, signature campaigns, and a massive protest in Mumbai have been announced.
⛳ “Temples can… pic.twitter.com/9eabBc0hyS
— Sunil Ghanwat 🛕🛕 (@SG_HJS) June 1, 2026
During crucial meetings organised by the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh in Pune, temple trustees firmly asserted that shrines and their religious activities will remain safe only if the lands belonging to the Deities are protected. They have demanded that the state government immediately halt any move to acquire these lands.
To register a strong protest, the trustees have unanimously resolved to file lakhs of legal objections within the next 25 days. The action plan includes a massive statewide signature campaign, Maha-Aartis at every temple, a deafening ‘Ghantanad’ (bell-ringing) protest outside the state legislature during the upcoming monsoon session, and a mega-agitation at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan if required. A decision to convene a State-Level ‘Devasthan Bhoomi Sanrakshan Parishad’ (Temple Land Protection Conference) was also finalised.
Trust leaders question Government’s intent
During the meetings held at Shri Siddhivinayak Temple (Sarasbaug), Khandoba Temple (Akurdi), and Shri Siyaram Temple & Gaushala (Hadapsar), senior legal and administrative figures voiced serious concerns over the draft legislation:
Advocate S. K. Jain emphasised that securing temple lands is vital for preserving the very existence of these ancient shrines.
Former Charity Commissioner Dilip Deshmukh questioned the government’s hidden intent behind the bill and urged all trustees to submit written objections in large numbers.
Dr. Tushar Patil Pachundkar (Trustee, Ranjangaon Mahaganapati Devasthan) declared the Ashtavinayak temples’ fierce opposition to the bill.
Advocate Suresh Koudare (Representing Bhimashankar Devasthan) demanded that the traditional rights of temple servitors (Sevadars) be preserved intact.
Shri. Sunil Ghanwat, National Organiser of the Mandir Mahasangh, termed this a battle for the identity of temples. He warned that the statewide stir would officially commence with the submission of a memorandum to the Divisional Commissioner on 2 June.
A growing mass movement
Prominent trustees from across the state have joined hands to chalk out a unified strategy. To convert the agitation into a full-scale mass movement, awareness banners will be put up prominently at all participating temples.
The strategy meetings witnessed the presence of key religious and legal luminaries, including Madhukar Gawande (Executive President, Bhimashankar Devasthan), Prasad Gawande, Sangeetatai Thakar (Gramdaivat Kasba Ganpati), Pramod Bengrut (Bhavani Peth Palkhi Mandir), Gyanoba and Suresh Phadtare (Kanifnath Mandir), Shrimant Sardar Khasgiwale Limaye, Nilesh Walawe (Shirwal), Nivritti Badade (Kodit), Shri. Wanjale (Akhil Mandai Ganeshotsav Mandal), Advocate Thorwe (Jejuri Martand Devasthan & Dagdusheth Datta Mandir), Vitthal Kalbhor (President, Akurdi Khandoba Devasthan), Pandharinath Kalbhor (Vice President), trustees of the Chaturshrungi Devasthan, and Advocate Vrushali Datar.
