Muslims In Maharashtra’s Massajog Skip Eid Celebrations To Mourn Murdered Sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh

While Muslims around the world celebrated Eid with joy on Monday, the Muslim community in Massajog village, Beed, chose to skip the festivities and mourn the brutal murder of their beloved Sarpanch, Santosh Deshmukh.

People of Massajog remember Deshmukh as a leader who did not disrcriminate on caste and religion and always prioritised the welfare of his community. This year, as the Eid was celebrated worldwwide, in Massajog, his absence was deeply felt, and the Eid festivities were marked by mourning this year.

On Eid, Muslim brothers gathered to offer prayers and visit the Deshmukh family to express their condolences.

The brother of the deceased Sarpanch, Dhananjay Deshmukh, was so moved by the event that he started crying as he talked about his brother. He promised the community that in remembrance of Santosh Deshmukh’s legacy, Eid will be celebrated with the same fervor the next year.

The Muslim community of Massajog, who were often warmly greeted by Santosh Deshmukh during every Eid, came together to pay their respects, reflecting the deep bond he shared with people across the village. This year, as they remembered him, the air was filled with grief, but also with a promise to carry forward his spirit of unity and service.

Satosh Deshmukh Murder Case

Santosh Deshmukh was abducted and murdered on December 9, 2024. It was alleged that he was killed for opposing, three days earlier, an attempt to extort money from a wind energy firm operating in the area. Walmik Karad, a close aide of Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde, was arrested in the extortion case weeks after the murder.