A row erupted in Pune after Bharatiya Janata Party MP Medha Kulkarni “purified” a spot in the Shaniwar Wada fortification complex where Muslims women allegedly offered namaz, with the Hindutva party’s alliance partners criticising her action, The Times of India reported on Tuesday.

While members of the National Congress Party group led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar held a protest against the Rajya Sabha MP outside the historical fort, the Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction of the Shiv Sena said that action should be taken by the authorities in such cases and individuals must not take the law into their own hands.

The ruling Mahayuti alliance in the state comprises the BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena group and NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar.

The row erupted when a video showing a group of Muslim women offering prayers at the spot in Shaniwar Wada on Friday was shared widely on social media. Following this, Kulkarni on Sunday organised a march to the historical site and “purified” the spot using cow urine, The Indian Express reported.

“If the Muslims are offering namaz inside a historical place like Shaniwar Wada, then Hindus should also be allowed to perform aarti in mosques,” the newspaper had quoted the BJP MP as saying.

Shinde Sena leader Neelam Gorhe said that the Muslim women should have avoided offering prayers at a site protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. However, she added that nobody should take the law into their own hands.

“If the rules are violated, there are the authorities like the police commissioner or a collector to take action against those people,” The Times of India quoted Gorhe as saying. “Some people should not behave as if they are running the entire government.”

On Monday, NCP Spokesperson Rupali Thombare led a protest against Kulkarni outside the fort. “There was no need for Kulkarni to protest over some Muslim women offering namaz in Shaniwar Wada,” The Times of India quoted Thombare as having said.

The BJP MP claims that the sentiments of Hindus were hurt, she said.

“But I want to tell her that we are also Hindus, and our sentiments were not at all hurt as we believe in inclusivity,” Thombare added. “In fact, a case should be filed against her [Kulkarni] for disturbing the peace and harmony of Pune.”

The Opposition parties also criticised Kulkarni for her actions and demanded her resignation.

Congress leader Atul Londhe said that by indulging in hatemongering, Kulkarni was attempting to divert public attention away from problems faced by the farmers because of flooding in the region, The Indian Express reported.

“Farmer families have no money to celebrate Diwali,” the newspaper quoted Londhe as saying. “…When Hindus celebrate Diwali, they distribute joy among their brethren but the MP is distributing hate.”

He added: “A people’s representative is expected to fight for the people and not against their interest.”

Aam Aadmi Party Spokesperson Mukund Kirdat said that it seemed “whatever Kulkarni did was to impress her bosses in Delhi”, The Indian Express reported.

“If she wants to indulge in anti-people activities, then she should better resign and work for Sakal Hindu Samaj,” the newspaper quoted him as saying. “An MP represents all sections of the party in Parliament. She seems to have forgotten her responsibility.”

Ishwar Kawade, an official of the Archaeological Survey of India, filed a police complaint against the women who offered namaz, The Times of India reported.

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