During Bakri Eid, the Muslim community gathered for prayers at a mosque in the Durgadi Fort area of Kalyan. Following this, supporters from both factions of Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray, protested by ringing bells outside Durgadi Fort. They have vowed to persist until granted access to the temple. Worship of Goddess Durga in Kalyan is prohibited on Bakri Eid.
However, in the 90s, Anand Dighe initiated a bell-ringing movement to challenge this restriction at the same location. Presently, a resurgence of the bell-ringing movement has drawn a larger group of protestors, leading to heightened police presence. The dispute revolves around access to the temple during Bakri Eid when the Muslim community's prayers temporarily halt the Hindu devotees' worship.
Anand Dighe's initial protest against this interference has inspired the current activists from Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena to demand entry into the temple for darshan of Goddess Durgadi. Despite police intervention, the protestors remain steadfast in their call for justice and the right of Hindus to worship freely.
The demonstration at Durgadi Fort saw a significant turnout, with activists from Uddhav Thackeray's Shiv Sena also participating. Police worked to maintain order between the two groups to prevent any clashes, with both factions chanting slogans for a period of time.
The protestors aim to challenge the restriction on temple access during Bakri Eid, inspired by the actions of Balasaheb Thackeray, who defied the ban to visit the goddess. They are determined to continue their movement until their demands for open temple access are met, asserting that Hindus have the right to worship the deity without hindrance.
