On the evening of July 15th, the Kolhapur district administration initiated a decisive action to remove illegal encroachments from Vishalgadh Fort, situated in Kolhapur. Amidst a robust police deployment, officials reported that approximately 35 stores had been demolished by nightfall.

The enforcement action was a response to demonstrations led by Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, a former Rajya Sabha MP and a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Protesters, visibly upset, congregated at the base of the fort in the Gajapur area on July 14th, causing considerable unrest. The incident, capturing intense moments of the protest, was widely shared across various internet platforms, drawing significant public attention.

In a swift reaction to the escalating situation, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde made a late-night visit to Kolhapur on Sunday. It is understood that he directed the district administration of Kolhapur to clear the fort of encroachments, located roughly 70 kilometers from the city center, within the boundaries of Shahuwadi taluka.

Addressing the media in Kolhapur, Sambhajiraje took a moment to clarify the nature of the demolitions. "The administration has started removing encroachments from Vishalgad. However, attempts are being made to give it a communal color. The first few encroachments which have been removed belong to Hindu community members," he stated, aiming to dispel any misinterpretations about the action being targeted at any particular community.

In the wake of the disturbances on July 14th at Gajapur, the situation has escalated with legal consequences. Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, playing a central role in the protests, openly stated, "if a case is made against him, he should be arrested." Reflecting the gravity of the situation, the police have acted decisively. Four cases have been registered against over 500 individuals, encompassing political leaders, with 21 arrests made in connection to the tumult.

During this turbulent period, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde made a nocturnal visit to Kolhapur to personally oversee the unfolding events. After evaluating the circumstances, he gave a directive to clear the illegal encroachments at Vishalgadh Fort.

Mahendra Pandit, the Superintendent of Police in Kolhapur, assured the public, stating that the situation was firmly under control and legal actions were actively being pursued against those involved in the violent outbreaks. Sambhajiraje, who spearheaded the Sunday march, emphasized the importance of fairness in the administration's response: "all encroachments be removed, regardless of the caste or religion of unlawful inhabitants," he requested, signaling a stand against biased enforcement.

Adding to the context of the ongoing issue, Team OpIndia conducted an on-site investigation at Vishalgadh, revealing concerning details. Their report noted significant illegal constructions and encroachments that have accumulated over years, which they described as an 'insult' to the historical integrity of the fort, affecting approximately 24 Hindu temples and other structures dating back to the 17th century.

The situation at Vishalgadh Fort has grown increasingly complex due to the involvement of local populations in unauthorized constructions and expansions, particularly concerning a Masjid on the premises. It is widely reported that the majority of the population on the fort, predominantly Muslim, has been implicated in these alleged illegal activities. Over the years, this community has not only expanded the religious structures but also built illegal sheds to further their businesses, notably in chicken and cattle slaughters.

The issue reached a significant turning point on July 7th this year when Hindu protestors gathered in the pouring rain at the lower grounds of the fort. Their demands were clear and forcefully articulated: the removal of the illegal structures and a cessation of animal slaughter activities on the fort premises.

Documentation reveals a broader scope of the problem with a total of 156 properties identified as having undergone illegal modifications. These modifications typically involved the construction of iron sheet sheds to expand homes and shops. Notably, out of these, over 100 properties are owned by individuals from the Muslim community, concentrated around the areas of an old Dargah and a notably expanded Masjid.

Tensions Escalate at Vishalgadh Fort: Stone Pelting and Emergency Responses

The situation at Vishalgadh Fort took a volatile turn ahead of Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati's anticipated arrival at approximately 9.40 am on Sunday. Reports of stone pelting and arson targeting some structures emerged, escalating tensions significantly. This unrest prompted Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to conduct an emergency meeting with key officials, including the police chief and the district collector, during his urgent visit to Kolhapur. In this critical meeting, Shinde emphasized the necessity of maintaining peace alongside the ongoing anti-encroachment actions.

The events drew sharp criticism from local leadership. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Kolhapur Lok Sabha MP and father of Sambhajiraje, voiced his disapproval on Monday, pointing fingers at the administrative handling of the situation. "We condemn the violence committed on the occasion of removing the encroachment on Vishalgad Fort after Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje’s call. It is extremely painful and distressing to witness such an incident in Kolhapur district, which holds the legacy of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj deeply," he expressed, highlighting the emotional and historical significance of the incident.

Further detailing the administrative interactions, Shahu Maharaj revealed that he had previously urged the Collector and the SP to arrange a discussion between former MP Sambhaji Raje and the chief minister, a directive apparently ignored. "However, these instructions were not heeded, leading to what he described as an administrative failure."

Despite the adverse weather conditions, numerous activists gathered at the foothills to support the anti-encroachment drive. Kolhapur SP Mahendra Pandit updated on the legal proceedings, noting that the FIR concerning the arson and violence was filed late on Sunday, with ongoing efforts to identify more suspects. He also mentioned that many individuals had arrived at the site two days before the scheduled drive, indicating the high level of organized participation. The demand for removing encroachments, long championed by Hindutva groups, has persisted for years and has now reached the courts, underscoring the complex and deeply rooted nature of the issue.

This action was not solitary, as various right-wing groups also encouraged supporters to converge on the fort to assist with the clearance. The resultant tension escalated into serious confrontations, leading to the detention of 21 individuals. Among those, Ravindra Padwal and Banda Salokhe were specifically charged in relation to the vandalism and violent outbreaks.

The local administration's initial attempts at removing encroachments were legally contested, resulting in a court-imposed stay. Despite this, the fervor continued unabated. Before Sambhajiraje could even commence his planned march, a contingent of Hindutva activists reportedly launched an assault on residents of the nearby Gajapur villages. This aggression included vandalizing a religious structure and clashes with law enforcement. The police reported that the violence resulted in injuries to six civilians and twelve officers, with several houses set ablaze. Additionally, substantial damage was inflicted on vehicles, with eight to ten cars and over two dozen motorcycles targeted by the protestors.

SP Mahendra Pandit provided a detailed update on the incident: "The anti-encroachment drive is stayed in the court and no permission was given for any gathering. We have lodged a case against those who engaged in violence and ransacked a religious structure, set houses on fire, and damaged two and four-wheelers and shops. We are assessing the damage and trying to find more suspects based on social media reels and videos captured by the policemen."

Despite significant security measures, some groups managed to incite violence. "Panchnama is being conducted with the help of the revenue department by the administration. More offences are being registered and two additional SRPF teams have been sought. We have put in place security arrangements across the district to prevent an aftereffect of the violence. The culprits have been identified and very strict action is being taken," Pandit explained, emphasizing the thoroughness of the response to restore order.

Bhosale also commented on the underlying issues at the fort, stating, "The encroachments in the Vishalgad Fort have become dens of vice, game of cards and other illegal activities. Shivbhaksts were upset over the illegal happenings, and I was involved in the struggle to bring about encroachment removal at the historic fort."

However, the narrative of communal conflict is being challenged by local leaders. Mahesh Vibhute from the Sakal Hindu Samaj spoke on the matter, clarifying the community dynamics: "These people, from both the community illegally expanded their premises by building sheds. Today there are thousands of people living on the fort and a total of 156 properties are illegal. We just want this encroachment to be removed," he stated to OpIndia, emphasizing that the issue at hand transcends communal lines.

In response to these ongoing tensions and the highlighted illegal activities, state authorities have reportedly stepped in. Actions are being taken following the state's recognition of the situation, with orders believed to have been issued for the removal of all illegal encroachments, reflecting a governmental commitment to resolving the disputes and restoring order at Vishalgadh Fort.