Pune: Tensions flared in Mulshi taluka of Pune district on Monday after a disturbing incident involving the desecration of a Hindu idol at the Nageshwar Temple in Paud village. A large protest march was organized by the Sakal Hindu Samaj, demanding justice and expressing collective outrage over the incident.
The act, reportedly carried out by a 16-year-old boy, involved making lewd gestures toward the idol of Goddess Annapurna inside the temple. The entire sequence was captured on CCTV footage, which has since gone viral, sparking anger among local residents and devotees.
In reaction, locals called for a complete shutdown of Mulshi taluka. Posters announcing the bandh began circulating on social media platforms as early as Saturday, urging community members to condemn the act and join the peaceful protest on Monday.
Police investigations revealed that the boy entered the temple premises on Friday and committed the offensive act, unaware that his actions were being recorded by surveillance cameras. A temple devotee later noticed signs of desecration and alerted others. Upon reviewing the footage, villagers were shocked by the explicit behavior captured on camera.
Following the incident, the Paud Police arrested the minor’s father, 44-year-old Naushad Shaikh, and took the boy into custody. Senior Inspector Santosh Girigosavi confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been filed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 196, 298, 299, 302, 351(2), and 3(5).
Residents who approached the accused’s family reported that the father reacted with hostility, showed no remorse, and even allegedly issued threats to villagers. The father, originally from Bihar, works in a local bakery, while the minor was born and raised in Paud and studied up to Class 4 in a nearby school.
Despite the charged atmosphere, local authorities have deployed additional security forces to ensure peace and prevent communal unrest. Maharashtra BJP MLA Nitesh Rane also reacted strongly on social media, sharing the CCTV footage and issuing a stern warning to the accused.
