“Maharashtra: Villagers protest against Waqf Board illegal encroachment around Kolhapur’s Mahadev Temple”, Organiser, May 27, 2024:

“On May 24, the village of Wadanage in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, observed a complete bandh. This action was a protest against the alleged land grab by the Waqf Board involving the land surrounding the Mahadev Temple. Reports indicate that the villagers have expressed their concerns through a formal statement submitted to District Collector Amol Yedge, representing the interests of the Hindu community.

The bandh saw widespread participation from various Hindu organisations and local residents. This collective action was a clear demonstration of the village’s unified stance against the perceived injustice regarding the land dispute.

The villagers have accused the Gram Panchayat of failing to effectively present its case during the ongoing legal hearings concerning the disputed land. According to local sources, despite assurances from District Collector Yedge to investigate and escalate the matter to higher authorities, he advised the villagers to first seek intervention from the Zila Parishad administration……”

Read the full article at Organiser.org