Pune: Villagers Face Legal Action for Obstructing Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Ceremony in Uruli Kanchan

Uruli Kanchan, 4th July 2024: The Jagatguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Ceremony procession was intercepted in Uruli Kanchan, creating significant repercussions for the involved villagers. For obstructing the Palkhi Ceremony, the Uruli Kanchan Police have registered a case against more than 20 office bearers and villagers, including the Sarpanch.

Police Constable Rajkumar Bhise reported this incident to the Uruli Kanchan Police Station. The individuals named in the case include Sarpanch Amit Kanchan, Former Sarpanch Bhausaheb Kanchan, Alankar Kanchan, Santosh aka Pappu Kanchan, Rajendra Kanchan, and another 15–20 office bearers and villagers, all residents of Uruli Kanchan.

The Sant Shrestha Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Ceremony procession departed for Pandharpur from Alandi via Saswad and Jejuri, while the Jagatguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi Ceremony procession left Dehu for Pandharpur via Baramati through Solapur Highway. Upon entering Uruli Kanchan village, the ceremony typically followed a route through Ashram Road, Talwadi Chowk, around the village, and toward Yavat for their stay, including a two-hour rest stop at Mahatma Gandhi School.

Expecting the usual route, the villagers had set up a pavilion at Mahatma Gandhi School, and the Uruli Kanchan Gram Panchayat had made arrangements for the Warkaris, anticipating their rest stop.

However, the ceremony chief and trustees altered the route this year, cancelling the rest stop at Mahatma Gandhi School in favor of Uruli Kanchan Phata. This change had been announced earlier. Enraged by the deviation from the traditional route, the villagers and office bearers of Uruli Kanchan Gram Panchayat intercepted the Palkhi Ceremony procession, voicing slogans. The obstruction caused chaos in the Pune District Administration, leading to a case being registered against 20–25 office bearers and villagers, including the Sarpanch of Uruli Kanchan Gram Panchayat.