Ravindra Dhangekar Vs Murlidhar Mohol: “Either Save the Jain Temple or Save Your Ministerial Post” — Claims Dhangekar
Ravindra Dhangekar Vs Murlidhar Mohol: “Either Save the Jain Temple or Save Your Ministerial Post” — Claims Dhangekar
Pune: The political battle between BJP leader and Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA Ravindra Dhangekar has intensified over the controversial sale of land belonging to the Jain Boarding House in Pune.
Dhangekar has alleged that BJP’s top leadership has issued a “final warning” to Mohol, saying, “Either save the Jain temple or save your ministerial post.” According to Dhangekar, Mohol’s former business associates, Gokhale Builders, are directly involved in the disputed land transaction.
The controversy began when Mohol, who had earlier assured to resolve the dispute before November 1, visited the Jain Boarding House to meet trustees on Saturday. However, the visit reportedly turned tense as members of the Jain community raised slogans against him. One woman even confronted the minister aggressively, leading Mohol to leave the premises amid the protest.
Following the incident, Dhangekar targeted Mohol on social media, stating that the minister’s sudden reverence towards Jain monks was a result of pressure from senior party leaders. “For 18 days, the MP ignored the Jain community’s plight. Now, he faces the question — if his own company benefited from the land, how can he reverse the deal?” Dhangekar remarked, urging Mohol to return the “encroached temple land.”
In response, Mohol clarified that he was invited by Jain monks to mediate and find a resolution. He denied any personal involvement in the transaction, saying, “If I were involved, they wouldn’t have called me. I’ve promised to find a solution after speaking to all parties concerned. The protests seemed politically motivated.”
Meanwhile, Dhangekar has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding an impartial investigation into the land deal and the alleged encroachment of temple properties. He has urged Mohol to resign, claiming his ministerial position could influence the inquiry.
Earlier, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader Raju Shetti had also criticized Mohol over the issue. Dhangekar reiterated his claim that the builders involved in the transaction were Mohol’s former partners, a charge the minister has denied, stating, “Some issues are better left behind.”
