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The Historic Durgadi Fort: A Flashpoint in Kalyan's Religious Tensions
Perched about 60 kilometers northeast of Mumbai, Durgadi Fort looms over Kalyan Creek and the Ulhas River, a relic of the Maratha conquest in the 1660s. The fort, built in the late 16th century, played a significant role during both the Mughal and Maratha eras. Originally established as a fortification, it also housed a tomb, a mosque, and a site for prayers, as documented in the Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Thana.
The Gazetteer describes the fort’s layout, noting a prayer wall or Idgah, measuring 64 feet by 13 feet, and a mosque nearby. After the Marathas seized control in 1760, they constructed a small wooden temple dedicated to Durgadevi, renaming the fort Durgadi Killa in her honor. The British took command in 1818, and by 1876, the site ceased to function as a place of worship following the theft of the goddess's idol.
Decades of Dispute
The conflict surrounding the fort's ownership dates back to the 1960s, with both Hindus and Muslims claiming rights to worship at the site. The Maharashtra government intervened in 1966, declaring the area state property and proposing its transformation into a public park, a move that sparked protests from the Muslim community. Eventually, the state allowed Muslims to conduct Eid prayers there twice a year.
The situation intensified in 1968 when Bal Thackeray visited the fort, raised a saffron flag, and boldly declared plans to install a Durga idol. By 1976, the dispute had escalated to legal action, with Muslims filing a petition against the Maharashtra government’s claim to the fort, a legal battle that persisted until a 2024 ruling favored the state. However, the Muslim community promptly appealed, securing a stay that maintained the status quo while the case unfolded.
Recent Protests and Political Maneuvering
During this year's Eid prayers, tensions flared as temple entry was restricted despite ongoing prayers at the Idgah wall. Leaders from the Shiv Senas and BJP demanded access for worshippers, culminating in the 'Ghanta Naad' protest. Demonstrators threatened to recite the Hanuman Chalisa loudly unless entry was granted, with some climbing barricades in an attempt to breach security. Police detained BJP corporator Mahesh Patil amidst the chaos.
The 'Ghanta Naad' protest, initiated by the late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe in 1986 under Bal Thackeray’s direction, has become an annual event aimed at securing Hindu access to the fort during Eid. Dighe’s influence extended to popularizing Navratri celebrations at Durgadi Fort, drawing hundreds of Shiv Sainiks to the site each year. Thane Police Additional Commissioner Sanjay Jadhav confirmed that prayers have been conducted at Durgadi Killa for decades, while ensuring that security measures are in place to handle the ongoing political demonstrations.
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