Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde rakes up Haji Malang issue

Thene: In what is politically significant, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke of “liberating” the centuries old Haji Malang Dargah in the Thane district - a site which is claimed by both Hindus and Muslims.

The MalangGad is located on the Matheran hill ranges spread across the Thane-Raigad belt on the nature-rich Sahyadri hill ranges of the Western Ghats.

The MalangGad

The hillock is accessible from Kalyan in the Thane district - along the route of the Central Railway.

While there is a dargah of Sufi saint Haji Abd-ul-Rahman - popularly known as Haji Malang Baba, several Right-wing groups claim it as the temple of Shree Machindranath, the incarnation of Navanath of Nath Panth.

The dargah is around 800 years old.

In the months of February-March, the annual urs to the dargah is held.

It may be mentioned, Shinde’s mentor late ‘Dharmaveer’ Anand Dighe, since the eighties, started the practice of performing puja and on the hill on the occasion of Magh Purnima.

Shinde has racked up the issue once again, when addressing a gathering at MalangGad Harinam Mahotsav on Tuesday, he spoke of liberating the site.

“I am aware of the deep-rooted beliefs you hold about Malang-Gad’s liberation. Let me say…. Eknath Shinde will not stay quiet till he fulfills your wishes,” Shinde said on Tuesday at the function.

“Anand Dighe started the liberation movement with chants of ‘Jai Malang, Shree Malang’…I am aware of the feelings of the people,” he said.

While Shinde is an MLA from Kopri Pachpakhadi in Thane, his son Dr Shrikant Shinde is an MP from Kalyan.

On the MalangGad, the Thane district’s official website states - “Haji MalangGad is fort near about 15 km from Kalyan in Thane district. It is the religious place known as Sri Malang or Haji Malang. Shilahar Raja built the fort of Malang-Gad. The ancient temple of Machhindranath is on this fort.... There is a very high mountain on the fort. There are fortifications, entrances, water ponds and towers on fort…”