Mumbai: Girgaon Residents Oppose White Stripes Amid Growing Jain-Marathi Debate

Even before the controversy over white stripes painted on roads in Ghatkopar-Vidyavihar and Dadar could subside, similar markings have now appeared in the Girgaon area. White strips were spotted on a footpath near Chowpatty at Charni Road on Saturday night. 

Members of the local group Aamhi Girgaokar later painted over the stripes in black as a mark of protest. The issue, which has already sparked tensions between sections of the Jain and Marathi-speaking communities in Ghatkopar and Dadar, has now spread to Girgaon.

The controversy first emerged last week when a Jain family in a residential society in Vidyavihar allegedly painted white stripes to prepare for the arrival of Jain monks. The matter gained attention after social media influencer Prasad Vedpathak criticised the practice online, triggering widespread debate.

Before that dispute could settle, similar white markings appeared on Friday on a public road near a Jain prayer hall on Gokhale Road in Dadar. The issue drew strong opposition from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which took an aggressive stand against the markings. Following warnings from the party, civic authorities covered the stripes with grey paint.

Within a day of the Dadar incident, similar markings were reported in the Charni Road–Girgaon area. On Sunday morning, residents noticed a white stripe painted on a footpath near Chowpatty. In response, activists from Aamhi Girgaokar and local residents gathered and painted over the markings with black paint during the night.

Photographs and videos of the protest circulated widely on social media, bringing the incident into the public spotlight. MNS workers also arrived at the location, giving the issue a political dimension. Police intervened and directed municipal authorities to remove the markings. Officers from Gamdevi Police Station later called representatives of both Aamhi Girgaokar and MNS to the station and advised them to maintain peace.

Similar Incident in Mangalwadi

A few hours after the Chowpatty controversy came to light, another attempt to paint a white stripe was reportedly noticed in the Mangalwadi area of Girgaon by a Jain family. Activists from Aamhi Girgaokar objected to the activity, following which the road was restored to its original condition.

The recurring appearance of these white stripes in different parts of Mumbai has continued to fuel public debate and community tensions, with authorities monitoring the situation closely.