Divine fight

Initially the migration from Andhra was welcomed—it gave a boost to the town’s economy but predictably enough it’s now being seen as a takeover attempt.

Prominent Maharashtrians have urged the Nagar Parishad—the governing body of Shirdi—against including Andhra settlers in any census survey to ensure they don’t get voting rights. Says Pramod Gondkar, proprietor of Sai Palkhi, a trinket shop whose biggest customers are Andhraites: ‘‘We do not want them to be voters. We fear that their clout will increase if they get voting rights.’’

THE growing acrimony between the two communities is rooted in a change in culture and resulting insecurities. Telegu is spoken more than Marathi and Andhra cuisine is gradually replacing the once popular Maharashtrian delicacies.

‘‘The locals are speaking Telegu due to business compulsions,’’ says Raosaheb Master Gondkar, a former Shirdi sarpanch. He points to his Gandhi topi—popular in the villages of Maharashtra and says that this too will soon vanish.

Then of course there is the economics of the matter. Migrants from Andhra Pradesh today own most of the town’s hotels, lodges and other business.

Mukundrao Kote Patil, former chairman of the Shirdi Vividh Karyakari Sethkari Sanstha warns that skirmishes between the two communities are inevitable. Patil’s grandfather Tatyasaheb, was a close friend and disciple of Sai Baba.

The establishment of a separate colony—Saipattam—for Andhra settlers and devotees is another cause for discord. The colony houses an exclusive Sai Baba temple for the community and a bus run by the Andhra Pradesh government gets devotees from the state to this temple every day.

The Andhraites are aware of the mounting tension. ‘‘What can we say? We work hard. The money is the result of that,’’ is 40-year old K Srinivasalu’s guarded reply. Four years ago, he moved from East Godvari in Andhra Pradesh to Shirdi with his wife and child.

‘‘I had Rs 1,500 with me. I worked as a tourist guide, while my wife started a canteen serving Andhra cuisine. We saved money and started a low budget eatery,’’ said Srinivasalu.

This is the story of other migrants too. It remains to be be seen if the two communities will act on Sai Baba’s teachings and live together as one.