Sanatan Sanstha demands action as seeker is illegally detained and harassed by police over Ganeshotsav Awareness posters

Mumbai – Sanatan Sanstha has strongly condemned the arbitrary and oppressive actions of the Kidwai Marg Police after one of its seekers, Mr. Sandeep Harishchandra Shingade, was illegally detained and subjected to mental harassment for over 90 minutes. The incident occurred in Mumbai’s Shivdi area while he was displaying informational posters titled “How to Celebrate an Ideal Ganeshotsav” in the run-up to Ganesh Chaturthi.

In a statement, Sanatan Sanstha spokesperson Mr. Abhay Vartak announced that the organisation has demanded an impartial inquiry and strict legal action against the responsible officers from the Maharashtra Home Minister and the Mumbai Police Commissioner.

The incident took place on August 26, 2025, at approximately 7:30 PM. While Mr. Shingade was engaged in his awareness activity, police personnel identified as Kolhekar, Kamble, and Ramsingh forcibly detained him without a warrant or providing any reason. He was kept at the station until 9:00 PM and mentally harassed by an officer named Ghadge during what was described as an “interrogation.” During this time, his personal mobile phone was confiscated, private data accessed, call logs and personal documents photographed, and he was denied the right to contact his family or a lawyer. Mr. Shingade was released without any official documentation – an outright violation of Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and a blatant abuse of police power.

Mr. Abhay Vartak further stated “Is it a crime to raise public awareness about the proper rituals for Ganeshotsav, how to seek Lord Ganesha’s blessings, and the ideal way to celebrate the festival? This is a flagrant assault by the police administration on the religious freedoms guaranteed to Hindus by the Indian Constitution. This suppression of Hindus during their sacred festivals is intolerable. If the Mumbai Police Commissioner fails to take immediate action against the guilty officers, we will file a formal complaint with the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission. Sanatan Sanstha will pursue this matter relentlessly until justice is served.”

– Mr. Abhay Vartak, Spokesperson, Sanatan Sanstha.