Shirdi, a town in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra and one of India’s prime religious tourism destinations, is expected to face an indefinite closure starting May 1st. The administration of the Sai Baba Temple has called for the shutdown in protest of the Indian government’s deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for the temple’s security.
The temple administration has claimed that the CISF – which usually guards industrial installations, metro stations, and airports – isn’t adequately trained to secure the temple.
The temple is home to one of the most important shrines dedicated to Sai Baba, drawing millions of visitors of all faiths each year from all over the world. The main temple is situated on the Ahmednagar-Manmad highway and falls under the management of the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust.
The Trust performs the management of the temple premises, offering free meals, accommodation, and other facilities. It also manages charitable schools and colleges that work towards uplifting the society. Previously, the Maharashtra Police were entrusted with securing the temple.
In 2018, the CISF took over the security of Shirdi Airport, and now the Government has decided to deploy the same force to secure the temple. However, the temple administration opposes this decision, stating that the CISF is not adequately trained to handle the security demands of a religious shrine.
As a result, the temple authorities have decided to call for an indefinite shutdown, with the full backing of the local community. The shutdown starts on May 1st and will continue until the administration and the government reach a solution.
Shirdi is heavily reliant on tourism, and the shutdown is expected to significantly impact the local economy. Many hotels, restaurants, shops and associated businesses will have to close. Many workers depending on tourism will face appalling challenges to their livelihoods.