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2mo ago

Shani Shingnapur Trust Dismisses 167 Workers Including 114 Muslims

Trust officials insist the action was strictly disciplinary with no religious motive

The temple, in Shani Shingnapur village, in Nevasa tehsil, is patronised by lakhs of devotees from all over the country and its trust runs various public service institutions like hospitals, hostels and solid waste management projects (Shutterstock)
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Overview

  • The trust removed 167 employees in two rounds on June 8 and 13 for prolonged absenteeism, misconduct and non-performance.
  • Right-wing Hindu groups and NCP MLA Sangram Jagtap had demanded the removal of non-Hindu staff after a viral video showed Muslim workers on temple grounds.
  • The temple trust employs over 2,400 people and flagged 167 staff for irregular attendance since January before initiating dismissals.
  • AIMIM leader Waris Pathan denounced the layoffs as religious discrimination while BJP spiritual cell head Tushar Bhosale argued temple donations should fund Hindu workers only.
  • Trust authorities froze salaries and issued show-cause notices under regulations dating to 1963 prior to the dismissals