To The Point: In the Kudalwadi Action, Were Muslims ‘Targeted’ or Was It a ‘Self-Goal’?

Pimpri-Chinchwad | Special Correspondent । The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation carried out a large-scale anti-encroachment operation in Chikhali-Kudalwadi, regarded as one of the biggest drives of its kind in India. Though the action was aimed at illegally constructed scrap shops and unauthorized businesses, it was portrayed as being targeted against the Muslim community. This led to widespread political discourse, widely covered in the media.

Approximately 4,500 property owners in Kudalwadi were issued notices by the municipal administration regarding illegal constructions. Orders were given for immediate removal of these structures, but no action was taken by the owners.

Since the inception of Pimpri-Chinchwad as a municipality in 1970 and later as a municipal corporation in 1982, rampant encroachments have taken place in the city and surrounding villages. Both the Pimpri-Chinchwad New Town Development Authority and now the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority have witnessed unregulated and unplanned construction.

In 2007, the then Congress-led government introduced the Gunthewari Act, under which lakhs of constructions within municipal limits were deemed unauthorized. Whenever the administration tried to act against encroachments, political interference often halted the efforts. The issue of illegal constructions became a political agenda.

The municipality has consistently removed encroachments on reserved lands, as well as on BRT and DP roads, often deploying bulldozers. In those cases, law and order was not seen as a major concern. However, during the Kudalwadi operation, the administration claimed a law-and-order issue arose—which seems to have merit.

On January 31, 2025, the municipal administration deployed a large force to carry out the encroachment removal in Kudalwadi. Local scrap dealers strongly opposed the move, held road blockades, and gathered in large numbers, publicly accusing the administration. Some Muslim community activists led the protests, delivering fiery speeches and provocative statements.

MLA Mahesh Landge’s Political Strike…

MLA Mahesh Landge joined the BJP in 2017, previously being an independent legislator. Since adopting BJP’s Hindutva ideology, he has been viewed as taking a strong anti-Muslim stance, particularly after the municipal administration acted against unauthorized buildings owned by a Muslim educational institute director accused in a rape case.

In another case, Landge made provocative speeches demanding the demolition of encroachments near the historic Punyashwar temple in Pune. These incidents shaped the perception of Landge as anti-Muslim in the Muslim-majority areas of Pimpri-Chinchwad. Referring to frequent fires in scrap shops, Landge even raised the issue in the Assembly and demanded direct action. He also brought up the matter of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants, further linking the issue to the Muslim community. While the drive was meant to target illegal businesses, the political narrative conveniently shifted away from this fact. Ironically, the backlash against Landge worked in his favor, earning him statewide recognition as “Bulldozer Dada” of Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Claim of 27-28 Mosques in Kudalwadi …

Kudalwadi is indeed a Muslim-majority area, with a significant number of Muslim and non-Marathi traders involved in the scrap business. Most workers in this area migrated from North India. According to municipal sources, there are around 27 to 28 mosques in Kudalwadi. The communal tension in the area becomes palpable during events like India-Pakistan cricket matches. Since the scrap shops were located in a Muslim-majority area and formed the community’s economic base, the drive was viewed as targeting Muslims. However, in reality, it may have been a ‘self-goal’ by the community. Notably, both MVA MP Dr. Amol Kolhe and BJP MLA Mahesh Landge took political advantage of the situation. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis supported the action, referring to it as part of the “Bulldozer Pattern,” effectively endorsing the drive. His protégé, MLA Landge, rose to prominence as a Hindutva leader across Maharashtra.