Muslim families forced to flee Pune villages amid Hindutva threats, economic boycott
Pune: Several Muslim families have fled Paud and Pirangut villages in Mulshi taluk, Pune district, following threats and an economic boycott allegedly orchestrated by Hindutva groups. Fact-finding teams from the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), which visited the villages on July 2, reported a climate of fear, shuttered Muslim-owned businesses, and displaced families.
The unrest began after an alleged desecration of an Annapurna Devi idol in Paud on May 2. This was followed by a rally led by BJP and right-wing groups on May 5, during which open threats were reportedly issued against Muslim residents. Posters calling for a boycott of “non-native Muslims” appeared across the villages shortly after, according to the PUCL. These posters have since been removed following orders from Pune Rural SP Sandeep Singh Gill, but the situation remains tense.
Local businesses, including Roshan Bakery, New Sangam Bakery, and New Bharat Bakery, remain shut. “Our family has lived here for 40 years, yet we’re labelled outsiders,” said the owner of Roshan Bakery, alleging that police have failed to provide any protection. The closures have affected around 400 workers, including several Hindu vendors who relied on these businesses for their livelihood.
In addition to threats and intimidation, incidents of violence have also been reported. A Muslim scrap shop owner, whose business was torched in June, claimed a loss of ₹20 lakh and said he had to move his family to Kamshet for safety.
PUCL also reported intimidation by Hindu Rashtra Sena leader Dhananjay Desai, who is accused of orchestrating threats from a farmhouse near Vitthalwadi village. Desai, previously tried and acquitted in the 2014 Mohsin Shaikh murder case, is currently absconding in a separate matter involving illegal seizure of property, according to police.
Mosques in the area have also been targeted, with posters restricting entry for non-local Muslims, leading to a drop in attendance even after the posters were removed. Many families have since fled to their ancestral homes in Uttar Pradesh or relocated to Kamshet. Children’s education has been disrupted as families were forced to leave abruptly.
A local resident alleged that Muslims were being monitored through a WhatsApp group with 400 members tracking their movements. “When I went to buy medicine for my son, my photo was immediately shared in the group,” he said.
Ashok Matre, former Congress taluk president in Pirangut, said the region was once known for communal harmony. “Muslims used to take part in Harinaam Saptah. Now that harmony is broken,” he remarked, blaming organisations like RSS, Shiv Pratishthan, and Hindu Rashtra Sena.
PUCL condemned the economic boycott as unconstitutional, stating that the right to conduct business anywhere in the country is guaranteed by the Constitution. Civil rights groups are preparing to take legal action in response to the ongoing violations.
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Malayalam actor Rajesh Keshav in ICU after cardiac arrest
Kochi (PTI): Malayalam actor Rajesh Keshav is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after suffering a cardiac arrest on August 24, hospital sources said on Wednesday.
The 47-year-old actor, known for notable roles in various films and TV shows, was admitted to the hospital on Sunday night after collapsing at a city hotel.
He was first taken to the Emergency Department and successfully revived through immediate resuscitation, the hospital said in a statement.
Keshav was then shifted to the Cath Lab, where an emergency angioplasty was performed, it said, adding that he had suffered a prolonged cardiac arrest, which resulted in a moderate hypoxic injury.
The Neuro Wing is closely monitoring his neurological recovery, and encouraging signs of progress are being observed, they explained.
"At present, he remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under advanced life support," the statement said.
His condition is serious but showing gradual improvement, with a multidisciplinary team of doctors actively involved in his treatment, it added.
