Controversial statements have become a tradition as the Urs or celebration at the Haji Malang Dargah on a hill in Kalyan draws close. This year, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde triggered a dispute about the centuries-old Haji Malang Dargah in Kalyan announcing that he was committed to the liberation of the structure. According to claims, this dargah is an old Hindu shrine belonging to the Nath Panth — an order of the yogis. The oldest historical evidence of the tomb dates back to 1774, the period of the Anglo-Maratha War.
The dargah named after the sufi saint Haji Abdul Rahman, popularly known as Haji Malang Baba, is worshipped by people of all faiths, communities, and strata of society. Shinde shouted “Jai Malang, Shree Malang” during his public address here while announcing that the place would be restored to the Nath Panth order. He was speaking at the Malang Gad Harinam Mahotsav.