MLC Yogesh Tilekar Demands Immediate Action on Encroachments in Pune’s Ghorpade Peth; Sakal Hindu Samaj Leads Major Protest

PUNE, May 29, 2025 — Mounting pressure on civic authorities, MLC Yogesh Tilekar on Wednesday demanded that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) immediately remove illegal encroachments from reserved plots in Ghorpade Peth and take possession of the spaces currently occupied by structures such as Mirza Masjid Trust, Rajashah Hall Dargah, Balwar Ali Jog Dargah, and Hazrat Siddiq Shah Maula Dargah.

Leading a massive “Rasta Roko” protest organized by Sakal Hindu Samaj, Tilekar warned that if prompt action is not taken by PMC, a more intensified agitation would follow.

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Encroachments on Reserved Land: A Long-Standing Issue

Speaking at the protest, Tilekar stated,

“This movement is not against any dargah or religious community. It is against illegal encroachments that are misusing public land and, in some instances, becoming breeding grounds for anti-national activities.”

He further highlighted that the PMC had earmarked this land for a vegetable market, a civic amenity that has remained on paper for over four decades due to persistent inaction.

“Why has the PMC failed to reclaim its own land for 40 years? The public has a right to that space, and the authorities owe us an explanation,” he demanded.

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Thousands Rally on Shivaji Road

The protest, held in front of the Fadgate Police Chowki on Shivaji Road, witnessed the participation of thousands of members from Hindu organizations and concerned citizens. Protesters sat on the road, chanting slogans and holding placards, blocking traffic for nearly three hours.

The message was clear: until a written assurance is given by the PMC to take back the encroached land within 15 days, the Rasta Roko would not be lifted.

The protest severely disrupted traffic flow in central Pune, causing gridlocks and rerouting across major city arteries.

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A Demand for Accountability from PMC

Tilekar criticized the PMC’s handling of the issue, accusing it of repeatedly hiding behind police intervention rather than addressing core civic concerns.

“Every time the issue is raised, the PMC pushes the police forward and steps back. The time for such evasive action is over. The Hindu community is now awake and will take this battle to the streets if necessary,” said Tilekar, demanding decisive municipal action.

He urged the PMC not to politicize or communalize the matter but to view it through the lens of urban governance and public welfare.

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Authorities Respond After Public Pressure

Following the high-tension demonstration, PMC officials arrived at the protest site and held brief discussions with Tilekar and other protest leaders. They reportedly promised appropriate and timely action, following which the protest was called off.

Addressing the gathering after the meeting, Tilekar announced the temporary suspension of the protest, urging all attendees to disperse peacefully.

“We thank the police for their cooperation and patience. Our protest was peaceful, and our demand was legitimate. We expect the PMC to now walk the talk,” he said, while warning that the movement would reignite if promises were not fulfilled.

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A Broader Debate on Urban Land Use

The issue has opened up wider discussions around urban encroachment, municipal accountability, and the use of reserved lands for public infrastructure. With a growing population and increasing civic demand, residents and activists alike are urging the PMC to act swiftly and transparently when it comes to land reserved for markets, schools, and other community amenities.

The Sakal Hindu Samaj, which coordinated the protest, has indicated that similar demonstrations could be planned in other areas facing the same issues if no meaningful progress is made.

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Looking Ahead: Tensions Simmer, Eyes on PMC

As the dust settles from Wednesday’s protest, all eyes are now on the Pune Municipal Corporation to see whether it will uphold its assurances. The demand is not only for encroachment removal, but also for restoring the intended use of public land—in this case, a vegetable market that could serve thousands of residents.

If PMC fails to deliver within the stated timeframe, it is clear that the issue could escalate into a city-wide civic unrest, with potential political ramifications.