Mumbai: Tensions flared in Dharavi, Mumbai, as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) attempted to demolish the 25-year-old Mahbub-e-Subania mosque, terming it illegal. The BMC’s action was met with fierce resistance from members of the Muslim community, leading to clashes and stone-pelting incidents. A heavy police presence has been deployed at the site to maintain law and order.
Protests and Clashes Erupt Over Demolition Drive
The controversy erupted when BMC officials arrived at the mosque on Saturday morning, aiming to demolish the structure located on 90 Feet Road in Dharavi, citing it as unauthorised construction. The move was immediately opposed by the local Muslim community, who gathered in large numbers around the mosque, blocking roads and protesting against the demolition.
Tensions escalated when some protesters began throwing stones at BMC vehicles, prompting the police to intervene. Authorities urged the crowd to disperse peacefully and not obstruct traffic, but the situation remained volatile, with demonstrators occupying parts of the road in a sit-in protest.
Delegation Meets Police and BMC Officials
As the standoff continued, a delegation of community members went to Dharavi police station to hold discussions with police and BMC officials. The outcome of the meeting will determine the next steps in the ongoing dispute, with both sides seeking a resolution to the tense situation.
Protesters argue that the mosque, which has been a part of the Dharavi landscape for 25 years, should not be demolished. They claim that the structure has existed for decades and should not be classified as illegal. The gathering around the mosque reflects the strong emotions surrounding the issue, with community members insisting on halting the demolition.
Political Intervention and Appeal to the Chief Minister
The ongoing dispute has also drawn political attention. Congress President and MP Varsha Gaikwad met with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday, urging him to intervene and stop the demolition of the mosque. Sharing her appeal on social media platform ‘X’, Gaikwad stated that she had conveyed the community’s concerns to the Chief Minister.
“There was a positive discussion with the Chief Minister. He assured us that he would speak to the concerned officials and put the demolition proceedings on hold,” Gaikwad wrote. She also sent a letter to CM Shinde, highlighting that the mosque near the Himalaya Hotel in Dharavi has been a long-standing structure and requesting that the Dharavi Rehabilitation Authority (DRA) investigate any encroachment claims.
A Community Divided Amid Demolition Drama
The demolition drive has sparked significant unrest in Dharavi, one of Mumbai’s most densely populated areas. As police and officials work to defuse the situation, the future of the Mahbub-e-Subania mosque hangs in the balance. For now, the protests continue, with the community standing firm against what they perceive as an unjust action against a place of worship that has been part of their lives for over two decades.
The incident has highlighted the complex intersection of community sentiments, legal disputes, and urban development in Mumbai, underscoring the challenges faced by authorities in managing sensitive issues in a city known for its diversity and density.