Opposing a gram panchayat resolution barring Muslim dealers from setting up shops for the Shree Kanifnath Yatra in Maharashtra, 34 mortal rights organisations on Thursday (March 13, 2025) sought the immediate intervention of the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court in the matter. The organisations nominated the resolution passed by the Madhi gram panchayat of Pathardi taluka in the Ahilya nagar quarter on February 22 as “illegal,” “arbitrary,” and “discriminative. ” The organisations have demanded strict compliance and effective perpetration of the March 11 order of the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court, which directed an interim stay on the gram panchayat resolution to ensure safe and staid working conditions for Muslim merchandisers. The letter, inked by organisations from Maharashtra, New Delhi, and West Bengal, said, “We address this letter to you as organisations working for the rights of peddlers, road merchandisers, and workers in Maharashtra, and to uphold moral rights, to bring to your notice a critical case of illegality and gross violation by the Gram Panchayat, Madhi, which has passed a resolution banning Muslim merchandiser from doing business/setting up booths at the Shri Kanifnath Maharaj Yatra, a periodic show that takes place every time in Madhi village.”The Kanifnath Yatra begins on March 14, the day of Holi, and continues till the end of the month. Historically, people from every religion set up their shops during this jubilee. The letter said, “The Madhi Gram Panchayat passed a resolution on February 22 on the offer of Sarpanch Sanjay Markad, who’s a member of the ruling BJP, and it was supported by BJP minister Nitish Rane and NCP MLA Sangram Jagtap, who visited the village on March 2 to extend their support to Mr. Markad. This is despite the fact that the resolution was annulled by Pathardi Block Development Officer (BDO) Shivaji Kamble on February 28. Several townies from different communities have condemned the resolution by making statements in the media and said that it’s discriminatory and trying to communalise the atmosphere.”Talking on this topic, ShekharSharma, a professor of human rights said, “This case is a clear violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, particularly the right to equality and freedom from discrimination. Article 14 of the Indian Constitution provides that no citizen shall be discriminated against on the grounds of religion, caste, sex, or place of birth. The Gram Panchayat’s resolution to prevent Muslim traders from setting up shops at the Sri Kanifnath Yatra violates this fundamental principle.”The High Court on March 11 stayed the effect, operation, and prosecution of the resolution till April 8. The letter said, “Despite the court order, Mr. Markad has made a statement in the media that since the BDO has abrogated the resolution, he’ll pass another resolution and won’t allow Muslim merchandisers to trade at the Kanifnath show. Due to these nonstop pitfalls, if Muslim merchandisers set up booths, their safety is in question. Muslim merchandisers who have reached Madhi vill with their goods and stock bought for trade at the show are in fear. However, they will suffer huge losses if they don’t set up their booths.” The organisations stressed that every person has the right to work, and equivalency and protection from demarcation are abecedarian rights of all citizens under the Indian Constitution, regardless of the community or religion they belong to. It said, “Any violation by the Sarpanch, Gram Sabha members, original authorities, and any person in allowing Muslim merchandisers to carry out trade and set up their shops during the Kanifnath Yatra starting hereafter will be treated as disdain of the March 11 order passed by the High Court and a gross casualness of the law of the country.”
Reporting to True to Life News.