Sai Baba birthplace row escalates: Pathri threatens stir as CM Uddhav meets Shirdi locals

While CM Uddhav Thackeray is meeting Shirdi Sansthan Trust members, local protestors of Shirdi on Monday, locals of Pathri have claimed that they will hold protests in Parbhani district, if Thackeray revokes his decision. The CM is currently meeting with 40-Shirdi leaders in Mumbai's Mantralaya to discuss the issue sparked by his decision. Earlier on Sunday night, Shirdi locals decided to temporarily suspend the indefinite bandh amid talks, warning they would re-start their agitation if the Maharashtra CM did not make a satisfactory decision.

Shirdi villagers suspend bandh; future course of action depends on CM's decision

Shirdi observes indefinite bandh

On Sunday, shops, restaurants kept their shutters down, maintaining a shutdown till the Chief Minister takes back his statement declaring Pathri as Sai Baba's birthplace. Throughout the bandh, the Saibaba temple remained open and all facilities like free canteen, free hospitals, free lodgings will continue to function regularly as always. While some Congress leaders have supported Thackeray's move, several NCP and Congress leaders have maintained that Thackeray should not have waded into the controversy.

Shirdi Bandh: Cong's Sanjay Nirupam slams CM Uddhav for triggering Sai Baba birthplace row

Uddhav Thackeray declares Parthi as Saibaba's birthplace

Earlier on January 9, the Maharashtra cabinet held a review meeting of the development works in Parbhani district. In the meeting, CM Uddhav Thackeray announced that Pathri, considered as the birthplace of Saibaba would be developed as a site for religious tourism. Thackeray also announced a grant of Rs.100 crore to Pathri.

Shirdi trust confirms temple will remain open despite Saibaba birthplace dispute bandh

Shirdi Bandh

This move triggered residents of Shirdi to announce a bandh from January 19 onwards. Moreover, Saibaba Sansthan Trust reportedly slammed Thackeray for confusing the devotees. Reportedly, the residents of Shirdi have the apprehension that the temple will lose its importance if Pathri is declared as the birthplace of Saibaba. The trust has mentioned that they don't have any issues with the Thackeray government issuing funds for Parthi, but do not want it to be declared as Sai baba's birthplace.

Saibaba birthplace row: Vikhe Patil warns of `legal fight'

While Shirdi is known as Saibaba's 'karmabhoomi' and where he attained samadhi, Parthi has been believed to be his birthplace but has never been allegedly proved. Shirdi MLA Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and his son Sujay Vikhe Patil have backed the bandh, condemning Thackeray for stirring a controversy over Baba's birthplace which has not been revealed by the saint himself. Moreover, BJP MP Sujay Vikhe Patil has threatened to launch a "legal fight" over the issue, asking why the claims that it was Saibaba's birthplace surfaced only after the new government took over.