DWARKADHISH TEMPLE, GUJARAT
Nana Shankarshet's role as a mediator extended well beyond Mumbai.
In Bhiwandi in 1836, the Hindu festival of Vitthal Ekadashi coincided with the Muslim observance of Moharram. Violence broke out, and a local Vitthal idol was vandalized. When the local court ruled against the Hindus, Nana took the case directly to Governor Robert Grant. His intervention led to the appointment of special European magistrates who reinvestigated the case, jailed the culprits, and allowed Nana to peacefully reconsecrate the Vitthal idol.
The Dwarka Desecration: When British troops desecrated the sacred Dwarkanath temple in Gujarat, Mumbai’s wealthy Gujarati merchant community boycotted the Diwali Deepotsav in protest, leaving the city in darkness.
The Governor turned to Nana. Nana secured a British guarantee of compensation and justice, persuaded the merchants to end their protest, and restored the festival.
In one case, Nana took a local dispute to the Governor. In the other, the Governor came to Nana.