Pune land deal controversy: Jain monk warns to cancel deal before November 1

The Jain monks and community members on Monday (October 27, 2025) will demonstrate against the alleged ₹300-crore sale of the historic Seth Hirachand Nemchand Digambar Jain Boarding land in Model Colony in Maharashtra’s Pune district to a real estate developer and launch a silent rally across Maharashtra, said Jain saint Acharya Guptinandi Maharaj on Sunday (October 26, 2025). “This is not just a matter of one hostel, but about many religious trusts through which several organisations serve vulnerable, poor, and underprivileged people. This deal is a dishonour to Lord Mahavir Swami- 24th Jain Tirthankar,” said Mr. Guptinandi Maharaj, warning that if the deal is not cancelled before November 1, then they will go on hunger strike. The Jain community across Maharashtra will launch a one-day silent protest across the State on October 27, a religious hearing on October 28, and observe a one-day fast on October 29. “Ek upvas, badlega bharat ka ithihas (one fast will change India’s history,” quoted Acharya, appealing to community members not to take any actions individually before November 1. The 3.5-acre property in the upmarket Model Colony area consists of a century-old Jain temple and Seth Hirachand Nemchand Smarak Trust’s (SHNT) Jain Boarding House in Shivajinagar in Pune. SHNT, a charitable trust, was established in 1958. At the start of the year, the Charity Commissioner allegedly approved the deal between the trustees and Gokhale builders. However, the protesters, including Monks and alumni, allege the sale violates the trust deed and omits disclosure of the temple’s presence. The land deal has triggered a political controversy as Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol has been facing allegations of links to a real estate developer. After the opposition, the Charity Commissioner ordered a status quo on the property and directed an inquiry into the temple’s existence. However, Mr. Mohol has denied the charges and gave “an assurance to resolve” the issue as soon as possible. The meeting was held on Sunday (October 26, 2025) to discuss the matter with the members of the Jain community, social activists, and former MP Raju Shetti, also a member of the community. “The government should bring the law on the rights of trustees over the assets of religious places and public trusts. If such transactions happen, then the donations hold no value. We will meet with everyone involved in this, from builders to trustees, as well as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. This deal must be cancelled,” said Mr. Shetti, after the meeting in Pune. ‘End the Matter’ The land deal has also created chaos in the partners of Mahayuti, notably between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena. Ravindra Dhangekar, a Shiv Sena MLA, has made corruption allegations against Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation Mr. Mohol, demanding his resignation. Mr. Mohol responded, saying, “He is doing this for political gains”. On Sunday (October 26, 2025), Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena Chief Eknath Shinde said, “I have asked Dhangekar to end the matter. He is a hard-working activist who doesn’t tolerate injustice. I have asked him not to cause chaos within the Mahayuti alliance and give opportunities to the opposition.”