Shirdi citizens from all political parties have warned of an indefinite bandh on May 1, Maharashtra Day, to highlight their demands for the Saibaba Sansthan.
On Thursday, a meeting was scheduled in this regard, and a letter was written to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, outlining all demands.
Despite the closure of the town, the Saibaba temple, darshan arrangements, accommodations, and food will continue as usual. The people have asked that the current security arrangements at the shrine be maintained and that no CISF personnel be deployed.
They further demand that locals be granted 50% of the seats on the Saibaba Sansthan Board of Management and that a deputy collector rank official be selected as CEO rather than an IAS officer.
Furthermore, they propose that the government appoint a committee led by a retired IAS officer or district collector to oversee the work of the Sansthan when the Management Board is not in session.
During the bandh, all hotels and restaurants in the city will be closed, but arrangements will be made to feed devotees at Prasadalaya. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Revenue Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, MP Sadashiv Lokhande, MP Dr. Sujay Vikhe Patil, district collector Siddaram Salimath, Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ola, CEO of the Sansthan Rahul Jadhav, Manik Aher, and others were also handed copies of the letter.