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Vat Purnima celebrated with great enthusiasm at Pune’s Mahatma Phule Wada

Major success for the struggle by Hindu organisations

Pune, Maharashtra – Vat Purnima was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the historic Mahatma Phule Wada. The programme took on the form of a victory celebration because the administration was forced to withdraw the ban imposed by the Archaeology Department on Vat Pujan (worship of the banyan tree).

The Archaeology Department had issued an order banning the traditional Vat Pujan at Phule Wada. Due to the united and organised efforts of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), Rashtrabhakta Adhivakta Samiti, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), Durga Vahini, local women, and other pro-Hindu organisations, the Archaeology Department had to lift the ban.

On the occasion of Vat Purnima, local women gathered at Phule Wada and performed the traditional worship. 

BJP MP Dr Medha Kulkarni, along with women from the Ranragini wing, Sakal Hindu Samaj, and local women corporators actively participated in the event. Everyone expressed the sentiment that “This is a victory for religious freedom.”

Hundreds of women participated in the programme organised by ‘Sakal Hindu Samaj’ and ‘Mahatma Phule Wada Parisar Bhagini Mandal’. 

Hindu festivals convey the message of nature conservation – BJP MP Dr Medha Kulkarni 

Speaking during the celebrations, Dr Medha Kulkarni stated, Vat Purnima is not just a festival; it is a sacred way of worshipping nature and expressing gratitude. The rejuvenation of the banyan tree’s aerial roots and its long life are considered symbols of the continuity of family lineage. Festivals like Nagpanchami and Bailpola also convey the message of service to nature. 

This is the result of organised efforts – Kranti Petkar, Ranragini wing of HJS 

Ku. Kranti Petkar of the Ranragini wing remarked, “This successful celebration of Vat Purnima is the result of the collective and organised efforts of local women, Hindu organisations, and the support of MP Dr Medha Kulkarni. After the Archaeology Department’s order, our united struggle made it possible to revive this sacred tradition with great enthusiasm.”  

In Sanatan Dharma, the banyan tree is regarded a form of Shri Vishnu – Smt. Ujjwala Gaude, Pune City General Secretary, Bharatiya Mahila Morcha 

In Sanatan Dharma, the banyan tree is considered the form of Shri Vishnu. With this faith, all the women came together and performed the puja joyfully. 

Dignitaries present

BJP MP Dr Medha Kulkarni; Ku. Kranti Petkar, Ranragini wing; Smt. Ujjwala Gaude, Pune City General Secretary, Bharatiya Mahila Morcha; Corporators: Mrinal Kambale, Aishwarya Thorat, Sneha Malvade; Vijay Kamble of Vishva Hindu Parishad; Smt. Kartikitai Pardeshi, Durga Vahini; Assistant Police Commissioner Anuja Deshmane; Assistant Police Inspector Anita Tonde; Shailendra Jadhav, Gopal Shinde, among others.  

 

After the Vat Pujan, the present corporators felicitated Dr Medha Kulkarni. Thereafter, Dr Medha Kulkarni felicitated Smt. Kartiki Pardeshi of Durga Vahini, Ku. Kranti Petkar of the Ranragini wing of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, and other members.

It is pertinent to note that Smt. Kartikitai Pardeshi, Coordinator of Pune East Division Durga Vahini, played an active role throughout this entire struggle for lifting the ban on Vat Pujan at Mahatma Phule Wada.

Ban on Vat Pujan at Mahatma Phule Wada revoked following HJS-led protests

June 26, 2026

Major victory for Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Pro-Hindu Organisations

Pune, Maharashtra – In a major development, the Maharashtra government has officially withdrawn the controversial ban imposed by the Department of Archaeology on the traditional ‘Vat pujan’ (worship of the banyan tree) within the premises of the historic Mahatma Phule Wada in Pune. The reversal comes in the wake of a sustained legal and administrative struggle led by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) alongside several other pro-Hindu organisations. 

A joint delegation consisting of representatives from the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Rashtrabhakta Advocate Samiti, Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti, Surajya Abhiyan, and the Ranragini wing had earlier submitted formal memoranda to the Department of Archaeology, local police administration, and the Pune Municipal Corporation Commissioner’s office. The organisations had strongly demanded the immediate revocation of the proposed ban, calling it a direct assault on the religious freedom of Hindu women and an infringement on fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Following the intense and organised protests, the administration was forced to back down. 

Archaeological Directorate restores customary status quo

Acknowledging the intense agitation and demands raised by the outfits, Dr Vilas Vahane, Assistant Director of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, issued an official directive to the Senior Police Inspector of the Khadak Police Station. The directive stated that the status quo of long-standing traditions and customs, which existed prior to the Mahatma Phule Wada being declared a protected state monument, must be maintained. It further instructed the police to take necessary measures to ensure law and order is maintained on the day of Vat Purnima. 

Demands for accountability and institutional reform

Reacting to the government’s decision, Shri. Ramesh Shinde, National Spokesperson of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, fiercely criticised the archaeological department’s initial move, labelling it a “Tughlaqi order” (dictatorial decree). He stated that the department was forced to realise democratic principles and recognise the existence of religious freedom in India only after the HJS strongly opposed the move and advocates served legal notices.

“While we congratulate the Fadnavis government for this decision, our demand remains that the government must take strict action against the concerned officials of the archaeology department. They must be taught a lesson that such Tughlaqi governance will not be tolerated in Maharashtra today,” Shri. Shinde remarked. 

Call for traditional celebrations

Following this victory, Shri. Ramesh Shinde appealed to Hindu women to gather in large numbers at the Mahatma Phule Wada to enthusiastically perform the traditional Vat Purnima rituals, thereby preserving our religious customs and celebrating the successful defence of our faith.

HJS strongly opposes the ban on Vat Pujan near Mahatma Phule Wada in Pune

June 22, 2026

Memorandum submitted to Archaeology Department and the Municipal Commissioner

Ku. Kranti Petkar and other dignitaries presenting the memorandum to Hemant Gosavi of the Archaeology Department.

Pune, Maharashtra – The ban imposed by the Archaeology Department on Vat pujan (worshipping the banyan tree) located opposite the historic Mahatma Phule Wada memorial in Ganj Peth is a direct assault on the religious freedom of Hindu women. This is a blatant violation of the fundamental rights to religious practice guaranteed under Articles 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution. Therefore, this ban must be withdrawn immediately and unconditionally. Furthermore, women must be given formal permission to perform the Vat Pujan rituals on 29 June, along with adequate police protection. A memorandum outlining these demands was submitted to the Archaeology Department and the Municipal Commissioner’s Office by a delegation from the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, its Ranragini wing, Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti, and Surajya Abhiyan. 

The delegation on this occasion included Shri. Krishnaji Patil of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Ku. Kranti Petkar of the Ranragini wing, Shri. Sachin Ghule of the Hindu Rashtra Samanvay Samiti, Shri. Surendra Mahajan of the Surajya Abhiyan, and activists from other pro-Hindu organisations as well.

Hemant Gosavi from the Archaeology Department stated that memorandums from organisations representing both sides of the issue have been received. The points raised in them will be forwarded to senior officials. A final decision on this matter has not yet been made. A proper decision will be taken after a detailed study of the views from both sides.

Anti-Hindu bias of the administration

The Archaeology Department remains completely inactive when it comes to removing illegal mazars and unauthorised constructions built on the state’s forts, yet it shows extraordinary promptness in opposing a peaceful, centuries-old tradition of Hindus.

If the administration hurts the religious sentiments of Hindus by stopping the tradition of Vatpujan, a fierce state-wide agitation will be launched alongside all devotees and devout Hindu organisations. 

Read more on Hindu Janajagruti SamitiHindu OrganisationsProtest by HindusRanaragini

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