The political atmosphere has intensified over the demolition of a mosque in Dharavi, with Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh writing to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, demanding an all-party meeting regarding the demolition of religious structures in Mumbai and the Metropolitan Region. Shaikh also alleged that religious polarisation is being stirred up ahead of the upcoming assembly elections for political gain.
On Monday, a team from the Divisional Office of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) arrived in Dharavi to take action against the construction of an encroached mosque on 90 Feet Road. This led to tension in the area. The administration had issued a notice to those associated with the mosque, and action was taken in line with that notice. Shaikh suggested that the civic body should provide a four-to-five-day deadline before taking action on encroachments.
The mosque trustees submitted a written request to the Deputy Commissioner of Circle 2 and the Assistant Commissioner of the G North Division, promising to remove the structure themselves during the specified period. Consequently, the action was halted. However, the situation remains heated as the assembly elections approach. In response, Shaikh, the former Samajwadi Party group leader in the municipal body, has sent a letter to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
In the letter, Shaikh accused authorities of attempting to incite religious tension before the elections by focusing on the mosque in Dharavi. He expressed concern that unauthorised religious sites, particularly those belonging to the Muslim community, are being targeted in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Shaikh warned that a platform is being laid for political gain, with the aim of creating societal divisions. He also sent letters to Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, as well as Minority Affairs Minister Abdul Sattar.
Shaikh pointed out that there are numerous unauthorised places of worship belonging to various religions in Mumbai and the surrounding metropolitan area. However, he argued that the focus seems to be on targeting Muslim religious sites specifically. He also noted that right-wing forces appear to be provoking the issue. Shaikh called for an all-party meeting to discuss the matter and reach a consensus, stressing the need for party workers to exercise restraint. He urged the Chief Minister to convene this meeting as soon as possible to address the situation.
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