On the second day of Eid, people of the Muslim community in Pune go to public parks and other tourist spots in their vicinity with their families. However, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) kept Sarasbaug Garden closed on the day after Eid.
Notably, on Friday, Pune MP Medha Kulkarni had written to Pune Municipal Commissioner appealing for the closing of the park on the second day of Eid while keeping the temple open for the Hindu community.
The closing of the civic park by PMC has sparked issues online, and activists slammed the civic body.
Taking to X, Muslim political activist Zubair Menon said, "On the second day of Eid, people of the Muslim community go to public parks and other tourist spots in their vicinity with their families. Taking cognizance of the letter of Pune MP Medha Kulkarni, Pune Municipal Corporation has closed the public park. This is modern untouchability. The progressive Hindu society here should come forward at the right time and take to the streets to protest against it."
Ibrahim Khan, who visited the park and found it closed called it a violation of basic rights of Muslim community.
"In the letter, Muslims have been targeted. An MP who has been awarded the Sansad Ratna Award polarises people like this—it's shameful. This will not be resolved by protests by Muslims but through discussion and support of secular Hindus," he added.
The park has been a bone of contention for religious polarisation, and even in the past, Pune Police intervened in this regard. A case was registered against 5 to 6 persons at Swargate police station for offering Namaz behind the shed near the Ganesh Temple.
In the letter written to the Commissioner, Kulkarni wrote about a complaint by Hindu organisations against the 'unwelcomed tradition' of celebrating 'Basi Eid' at Sarasbaug.
She wrote, "Sarasbaug has a Peshwa-era Ganesh temple, and the Muslim community gathers here every year after Eid and brings non-veg food, thereby defying norms which hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community. Some organisations have decided to organise an event, and it will lead to religious confrontation at the garden."
She further said that there is truth in the demand by the Hindu community as Muslims consume non-veg there and it impurifies the sanctity of the temple. "It is not tolerable," she added.
She then appealed to the Commissioner to keep the garden closed on the second day of Eid and keep the temple open for Hindus.
Basi Eid
"Basi Eid" informally refers to the second day of Eid celebrations, particularly when people continue to visit family, enjoy food, or take time off, but it’s no longer the official festival day. While Eid is formally celebrated on a single day, social gatherings, meals, and informal celebrations often spill over to the next day. In some places, this second day also sees continued crowd presence in public spaces like parks (such as Saras Baug), malls, or recreation spots.
Meanwhile, to know the official version, the Free Press Journal tried to reach out to Ashok Ghorpade, head of the PMC Garden Department; however, he did not respond to multiple calls and messages.
