Kolis demand handover of Mumbadevi temple

The original inhabitants of the city, the Koli community, are up in arms against the Mumbadevi temple management and are demanding that it be handed over to them since Mumbadevi is originally their deity. The Koli Mahasangh, an umbrella body of all Koli organisations, has put forward this demand.

However, the demand has not been made through any written representation to the government, charity commission or those presently handling the affairs of the temple, but has been made through the media.

The demand comes shortly after BJP leader Raj Purohit had levelled allegations of mismanagement, which include funds and temple's resources, by the Mumbadevi Temple trust.

"We want the government to take over the trust like it did in the case of Shirdi and Pandharpur and give it to us. Slowly, our identity is being erased and we want it back. Even in case of Banganga, the governor threw us out when he arrived," said Rajhans Tapke, general secretary of Koli Mahasangh.

"Until now, we haven't recieved any letter and have only seen their demands being made in the media. Those who have such demands should also write to us," said Hemant Jadhav, manager at Mumbadevi temple. Tapke added that they plan on meeting the chief minister with their demands and around 100 members of the community will also visit the temple on Sunday in their traditional attire.