Pune Mayor Manisha Nagpure said Sarasbaug is not being closed “deliberately”. (Express Photo/Pavan Khengre)The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will keep the iconic Sarasbaug in the heart of the city closed Thursday and Friday, marking the second consecutive year the popular public space has been shut around Bakrid. Mayor Manjusha Nagpure said the decision was taken following directions from the Pune police.“I don’t know why the police asked PMC to keep Sarasbaug closed on May 28 and 29. They should be asked about it. The police are efficient in performing their duties. They must have some information. They might have issued an order to keep Sarasbaug closed to ensure no untoward incident takes place,” said Nagpure.The mayor said the garden is not being closed “deliberately”.“Eid is today (Wednesday), while the garden has been kept closed on Thursday and Friday. So, I don’t think the garden is closed deliberately. I have never seen anyone from the Muslim community holding prayers at the garden, nor have I received any complaint about it. The decision is of the city police, and PMC has just implemented it based on that,” she said.“The garden’s closure is for the next two days following prohibitory orders issued by the city police. I have informed the public about the closure to avoid inconvenience if they travel to visit the garden. Other civic gardens are open where citizens can go,” said Nagpure.The mayor had earlier posted on social media that the garden would remain closed on May 27 for civil works, but later withdrew the message, saying it had been uploaded mistakenly by office staff.In a statement, acting Civic Garden Superintendent Santoshkumar Kamble said the closure was purely precautionary.Story continues below this ad“Sarasbaug garden is in the central part of the city, and a large number of citizens and children frequently visit it. During school vacations, the garden has been seeing heavy footfall. The city police have imposed prohibitory orders in the entire city, so the garden will remain closed on May 28 and 29 for security reasons,” Kamble said.Last year, PMC had shut Sarasbaug for a day, allegedly at the demand of BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Kulkarni and right-wing organisations, who claimed that Bakrid celebrations in the garden would disturb the sanctity of a historical temple at its centre.Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read MoreClick here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our storiesTags:Bakridpune police