Saibaba Sansthan Trust removes controversial signboards after protests

The Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust (SST) has finally removed the two signboards which had triggered protests by locals and Muslim Community in Shirdi, Maharashtra.

Members of the Muslim Community have alleged that the Saibaba Sansthan Trust is being saffronised. Adding on they said that since the new members and committee took charge of the holy shrine, colours of almost all the signboards were also saffronised.

The two signboards mentioning ‘Dwarkamai Masjid’ had been replaced with ‘Dwarkamai Mandir’ boards which evoked angry reactions from several devotees. Following this, a group of local residents protested in Shirdi on Monday. The locals have demanded that some newly-installed ‘saffron’ boards and flags must also be removed within a week.

Earlier, the Saibaba Shrine had been in the controversy for the inscription of Om word on the Sai flag pillar, which had gained national momentum.

A letter was recently submitted before the Chief Executive Officer of the Shirdi Saibaba Sansthan Trust in this regard. All the complaints concerning the alleged issue were submitted in the letter.

According to the complainant, the structure and functioning of the holy shrine is being altered and is being designed to represent a religion.

This comes over a month after the centenary festival of the Shirdi Saibaba Samadhi, which started on October 17 and concluded on October 19. During the three days, the trust had reportedly received donations amounting to Rs 5.97 crore.

It is to be noted that, around three lakh devotees from across the country and overseas paid a visit to the shrine during the three-day festival. Saibaba, a widely revered saint, is believed to have taken samadhi in Shirdi on October 15, 1918.

The donation counters in the Shirdi temple had received Rs 1.46 crore cash, on the other hand, Rs 1.41 crore was donated through online transactions, debit cards, cheques and demand drafts. Apart from this, devotees also donated gold and silver items whopping Rs 28.24 lakh and foreign currencies worth Rs 24.55 lakh.

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