Protests Erupt After Desecration Of Goddess Annapurna Idol By Muslim Teen In Maharashtra’s Pune: Here's All About The Case

Mulshi taluka in Pune district observed a complete shutdown on Monday (5 May) following outrage over the alleged desecration of a Goddess Annapurna idol at the Nageshwar temple in Paud village, the Indian Express reported. 

The incident that triggered the protest occurred on 2 May, when villagers discovered that the idol of Goddess Annapurna had been desecrated. CCTV footage from the temple reportedly showed a youth damaging the idol around 3 pm. 

The accused, identified as 19-year-old Chand Shaikh, was confronted by villagers, who also claimed his father, Naushad Shaikh, 44, threatened them. The duo was taken to the Paud police station, where an FIR was registered in the early hours of 3 May.

"Regarding the matter, Shivaji Waghvale (a resident of Paud) filed a complaint at the Paud Police Station. He said in the CCTV footage it was seen that the accused, Chand Naushad Shaikh, came to the Nageshwar temple, took down the idol of the deity, and desecrated it. Locals then went to his home to talk to his father. However, the boy's father used threatening language and abused them," the Free Press Journal quoted the police.

Shops and businesses remained closed as demonstrators voiced their anger. BJP minister and MLA Chandrakant Patil joined the protest and accompanied a delegation that submitted a letter of demands to the local tehsildar. Patil assured protestors that those responsible would face strict action.

According to Inspector Santosh Girigosavi of the Paud police station, the bandh remained peaceful and no incidents of violence were reported.

Political leaders have commented on the incident. On 4 May, NCP (SP) MP Baramati Supriya Sule condemned the act on social media and called for strong legal action. 

BJP MLC Chitra Wagh criticised Sule, accusing her of engaging in appeasement politics for not naming the accused. Wagh also drew a controversial comparison between the accused and perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack.