This is an archive article published on May 23, 2022
MNS leader raises issue of two 13th-century dargahs ‘built on temple land’
MNS general secretary Ajay Shinde says a commander of Alauddin Khilji had demolished the Punyeshwar and Narayaneshwar temples in Pune and later dargahs were built on the land.
Citing the Gyanvapi mosque controversy, a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader said on Monday that he had for the past four years been raising “similar issues” related to two 13th-century dargahs that he alleged were built on the land of Pune’s Punyeshwar temple.
Speaking at Raj Thackeray’s rally on May 22, MNS general secretary Ajay Shinde said the party had launched a “Punyeshwar Mukti” (free the temple land) campaign, appealing for people’s support to “restore” the land.
Asked about his claim, Shinde told The Indian Express that the dargah-temple row in Pune was not a new one. “I have been personally taking up the issue with the Pune Municipal Corporation and local unit of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the last four years,” the MNS leader said.
Shinde claimed that a commander of Alauddin Khilji had demolished the Punyeshwar and Narayaneshwar temples and later dargahs were built on the land. He said there was an ASI report that showed evidence of a temple at the dargah site.
“The issue is old and has already been taken up in court. The court had given a stay on additional construction in the area but unfortunately it has been carried out during the pandemic,” he said.
The authorities have to take action as per the available ASI reports but have failed to do so, the MNS leader said. “We now want action against those who have carried out new construction despite the stay by the court. The fight for claiming land for the temple will continue,” he said.
Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability.
Professional Background
Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens.
Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College.
Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts.
Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom:
1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026)
"Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections.
"Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections.
"Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls.
2. Infrastructure & Urban Development
"Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026.
"Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi.
"Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors.
3. Civic Governance & Environment
"Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time.
"Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections.
Signature Style
Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact.
X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More
The authorities have to take action as per the available ASI reports but have failed to do so.