Pune: The act of obstructing the traditional drum (nagada) in the procession of Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi has led to serious consequences for the villagers of Uruli Kanchan.

The local police have filed charges against the village sarpanch and 15 to 20 other officials and residents for creating a disruption in the Palkhi procession.

Those charged include Amit Kanchan (Sarpanch), Bhausaheb Kanchan (former Sarpanch), Alankar Kanchan, Santosh alias Pappu Kanchan, Pratap Kanchan, Rajendra Kanchan, and others, all residents of Uruli Kanchan, Haveli Taluka, Pune district. The complaint was filed by police constable Rajkumar Bhise.

The Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi procession is currently on its way to Pandharpur via Saswad and Jejuri, while the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi procession is heading to Pandharpur via Baramati along Solapur Road.

On Wednesday (July 3), the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi procession entered Uruli Kanchan village. Traditionally, the procession circumambulates the village via Ashram Road and Talwadi Chowk before heading to Yavat. It also halts for a two-hour rest at the Mahatma Gandhi School premises in Uruli Kanchan.

For the Palkhi's anticipated two-hour rest in Uruli Kanchan, a tent had been erected at the Mahatma Gandhi School grounds to accommodate the pilgrims (warkaris). T

The village administration had arranged facilities including a rest area (Hirkani Kaksh), Mahaprasad (community meal), drinking water, and sanitation facilities.

However, this year, the procession leaders and trustees decided to change the route, which was announced earlier, indicating that the rest stop would be at Uruli Kanchan Phata instead of within the village.

Displeased with this decision, local leaders, officials, and villagers blocked the procession at the Elite Chowk, raising slogans. Following this disruption, the police have filed charges against the sarpanch and 20 to 25 other officials and villagers.