Attack on Hindu sentiments: Muslims allowed to perform animal sacrifice on encroached land inside historic Hindu site
Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India 
2 June, 2025
Case Summary
At Vishalgadh Fort in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district, a site of profound importance to Hindu and Maratha history, the Bombay High Court has granted permission to Muslims to perform animal sacrifice during Eid al-Bakrid and Urs within the fort premises. This decision comes despite earlier objections raised by Hindus in July 2024 over illegal land encroachments within the premises by members of the Muslim community. These encroachments involve unauthorised expansion of the Malik Rehan Baba Dargah, a nearby mosque, and other structures that have significantly altered the fort’s historical landscape. The fort is historically important as it served as a refuge for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1660 while escaping the Adilshahi forces. Revered as a hero of Hindu resistance, Shivaji established Hindavi Swarajya, a vision of self-rule rooted in Hindu civilizational values and freedom from foreign (particularly Islamic) domination. While the Dargah has been well-maintained and expanded over the years, the Hindu temples, many dating back to the 17th century, have been neglected. Hindus have raised concerns, saying that this disparity reflects a disregard for the Hindu cultural and religious legacy of the fort. Despite these concerns and knowing the fact that the dargah is built on encroached land within the Hindu site, on June 3, 2025, a Bombay High Court bench of Justice Dr Neela Gokhale and Justice Firdosh Pooniwala upheld a previous order allowing sacrifices in a “closed and private area” near the dargah. The court reiterated that no sacrifices should take place in open or public areas of the fort. Local Hindu groups argue that religious activities involving animal sacrifice at such a historically Hindu site are inappropriate and hurtful to public sentiment, particularly as the dargah in question is seen as an encroachment on protected cultural heritage. In 2023, even the local administration had stated that cooking and animal slaughter violate the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (1962), applicable to protected sites like Vishalgadh. Despite these legal and emotional concerns, the court’s order permits the continuation of animal sacrifices inside the fort during Eid (June 7) and Urs (June 8–12). The situation has intensified long-standing worries among Hindus about the perceived transformation of sacred Hindu spaces and heritage sites through encroachment and contested religious usage.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
This case has been added to the tracker under the primary category- Attack on Hindu religious representations. Within this, the subcategory is- Desecration of Hindu symbols. Icons and symbols or a religious representation of a spiritual ideal are widely revered in Hinduism. Iconography is of vital significance in the Hindu milieu. It helps connect people’s spiritual beliefs with the real world. Iconography within the Hindu faith takes several shapes and forms. Murtis are of most significance to Hindus, to which daily rituals, prayers and offerings are done. Besides the murtis, there are several other symbols which have deep significance in the Hindu faith – the Om and Swastika for example. Since these Hindu religious symbols hold paramount importance in Hinduism, any desecration of symbols, icons, murtis, religious representations and manifestations, is driven by animosity towards the faith itself which manifests itself through these murtis, icons and symbols. Therefore, any desecration of these Hindu religious symbols and representations is considered religiously motivated hate crimes under this category. This case serves as a glaring reminder of state-sanctioned discrimination against Hindus. The decision to permit animal sacrifices at an illegally constructed dargah within Vishalgadh Fort is an act of discrimination, as it directly undermines the sanctity of a site deeply revered in Maratha and Hindu history. Vishalgadh Fort is not merely an ancient structure; it is a living symbol of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s bravery and resistance against oppressive Muslim rulers, and a testament to the sacrifices made by Maratha warriors in the pursuit of Hindavi Swarajya. Hindavi Swarajya refers to the vision of self-rule and independent governance established by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for Hindus, free from Islamic domination. The fort’s legacy is intertwined with the stories of Shivaji Maharaj’s courage, making it an important and revered site for Hindus. The act of animal sacrifice by Muslims at this fort is a direct assertion of Islamic supremacy and a deliberate undermining of Hindu sentiments, given the deep reverence with which Hindus regard this site. Such instances reflect a profound disregard for Hindu beliefs and feelings, making this an act motivated by religious animosity towards the Hindu community. Furthermore, by allowing Islamic sacrifices at a dargah built through illegal encroachments, the court has, in a way, legitimised the continued occupation and alteration of this historic Hindu site by Muslims. This move not only disregards the repeated objections of the local Hindu community but also sets a precedent that undermines the original character and cultural significance of the fort. It is a grave insult to the memory of Shivaji Maharaj and the Maratha warriors, as it enables practices fundamentally at odds with the fort’s historical identity. It also hurts the sentiments of Hindus who regard it as a symbol of resistance against past Islamic invasions. Such acts of undermining Hindu beliefs are seen as being motivated by a prejudice towards the Hindu community and its traditions. This order insults and deeply hurts the feelings of Hindus and is an affront to the Hindu community. Therefore, this case has been classified as a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Unknown
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
State and Establishment
Perpetrators Range
From 2 To 5
Perpetrators Gender
both
Sources 
