Temple trust cites misconduct and irregularities; denies religious bias in decision. In a significant move just a day before a planned protest by Hindu organizations, the Shani Shingnapur Devasthan Trust in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district has terminated the services of 167 employees, including 114 from the Muslim community.
The temple administration stated that the decision was driven by internal misconduct, disciplinary violations, and administrative irregularities—not religious or communal considerations. The affected staff were reportedly employed across various departments such as agriculture, waste management, and education.
According to the trust, some of the dismissed employees had not reported to work for over five months, prompting a major review of staff conduct. The move has triggered widespread reactions in the region.
This mass dismissal comes shortly before a planned agitation led by Acharya Tushar Bhosale, head of the BJP’s Spiritual Coordination Front, who had earlier demanded the removal of Muslim employees from the temple.
The trust held an emergency meeting in response to growing pressure and subsequently initiated the collective termination process. While the temple body maintains the action was purely administrative, the timing has drawn scrutiny amid rising religious tensions in the area.