A controversy erupted in Pune after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Medha Kulkarni led a “purification” ritual at Shaniwarwada Fort a historic monument and protected heritage site following reports that three Muslim women had offered namaz there.

The women were reportedly booked by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for performing religious activity without permission at the 18th-century Peshwa fort. However, what could have been a routine administrative action soon turned political when Kulkarni staged a protest and sprinkled ganga jal to “purify” the area.

The act sparked outrage across Maharashtra’s political spectrum. Even BJP’s allies, including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), condemned the MP’s gesture as communal and divisive. The NCP demanded police action against Kulkarni, saying such conduct disturbed social harmony and disrespected the Constitution’s secular spirit.

“Instead of uniting people, leaders are deepening divides for headlines,” said NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase, urging authorities to file an FIR. The Shiv Sena also expressed displeasure, stating that legal routes existed for addressing ASI violations and no one had the right to “purify” a monument belonging to all citizens.

Kulkarni, however, defended her actions, arguing that “religious acts of any kind” were banned at protected sites, and her protest was symbolic. “We respect all religions, but Shaniwarwada is a place of pride for the Peshwas. No one should use it for religious activities,” she said.

The Pune Police are currently investigating the sequence of events, though officials said no communal tensions had been reported. The ASI, meanwhile, has urged all groups to refrain from politicising heritage sites.

At the heart of this controversy lies a familiar dilemma how to balance heritage preservation, religious freedom, and political sensitivity. For Pune, a city celebrated for its pluralistic culture, this episode raises uncomfortable questions about inclusivity and leadership in an increasingly polarised time.