Paromita Das
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 2nd October. In a significant turn of events, the illegal portions of the Mehboob-e-Subhaniya Mosque in Dharavi, Mumbai, were demolished by the mosque’s trustees under the supervision of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials. This action was taken following prolonged protests from local residents and several missed deadlines, with the most recent standoff occurring on September 21 when civic authorities were forced to halt their demolition drive due to mass resistance from locals. The demolition, which began on Monday morning, comes after a final deadline issued by the BMC expired on September 30, making it a crucial moment for law enforcement in the city.
Background: A Prolonged Dispute
The Mehboob-e-Subhaniya Mosque, located in the densely populated Dharavi area, has been at the center of a legal and civic dispute for months. The BMC had issued notices to the mosque’s trustees six months ago regarding illegal construction, including a large 30-foot dome, makeshift shops, and utility units that violated building codes. These portions, according to civic authorities, were constructed without the necessary approvals, making them unlawful under municipal regulations. Despite the notices, no immediate action was taken, leading to mounting frustration among city officials.
The situation escalated on September 21, when the BMC attempted to carry out the demolition but was met with fierce opposition from local residents. Around 5,000 people reportedly gathered to protest, resulting in significant traffic disruptions and confrontations with police. Law enforcement officials subsequently filed charges against several individuals, including the arrest of three people for their involvement in the protests. This led to a temporary halt of the demolition drive, as authorities sought to avoid further unrest.
Trustees Take Initiative: Voluntary Demolition Amid Pressure
After days of negotiation, the mosque trustees agreed to dismantle the illegal structures on their own, under BMC supervision. The demolition process, which started on Monday morning, was closely monitored by both civic officials and police forces to prevent further disruptions. A green curtain was placed around the demolition site to ensure the process remained contained and secure. According to reports, the mosque trustees agreed to remove the 30-foot dome first, followed by other illegal portions, such as makeshift shops and utility units attached to the structure.
An official involved in the operation confirmed that the demolition drive was conducted peacefully under strict police supervision, with the primary goal of ensuring that no further confrontations or protests took place. This marks a significant departure from the protests earlier in September, where thousands of locals had attempted to prevent the BMC from carrying out the demolition.
Court Intervention and the Role of Legal Action
The demolition of illegal religious structures, particularly mosques, is often a sensitive issue in India, where religious sentiments can quickly ignite tensions. In this case, the demolition came after a directive from the Bombay High Court, which ordered the removal of the illegal portions following a petition filed regarding encroachments on public land. The court emphasized that all construction must comply with civic regulations and that no religious structures would be exempt from the rule of law.
The High Court’s ruling underscored the importance of maintaining legal and civic order, particularly in a city like Mumbai, where illegal constructions often lead to safety hazards and hinder urban planning efforts. In this context, the BMC’s action against the mosque can be seen as part of a broader campaign to enforce municipal laws, which have often been flouted due to political pressure or local resistance.
Public Reaction and Tensions in Dharavi
The demolition has been met with mixed reactions from the public. On one hand, residents and mosque trustees who initially opposed the demolition expressed frustration with the civic authorities’ approach, arguing that the mosque is a central place of worship for the community. The sudden push for demolition, they claim, disregarded the cultural and religious significance of the structure. However, after the High Court’s intervention and the expiration of multiple deadlines, resistance waned, leading to a more pragmatic decision by the trustees to comply with the BMC’s orders.
On the other hand, there are those who support the demolition as a necessary step in maintaining law and order. Illegal constructions, especially in high-density areas like Dharavi, are seen as a growing problem in Mumbai, contributing to infrastructural strain and safety risks. Civic activists have pointed out that while religious structures play an important role in the community, they must adhere to the same laws as any other construction.
The BMC has faced criticism in the past for selectively enforcing building codes, and this case could be seen as an attempt to rectify that image by taking decisive action against illegal structures, regardless of their religious or cultural significance.
Larger Implications for Civic Enforcement in Mumbai
The demolition of the illegal portions of the mosque highlights the ongoing challenges faced by civic authorities in Mumbai when it comes to regulating illegal constructions, particularly those with religious affiliations. Illegal structures are a common issue in the city, often resulting from lax enforcement and political influence. Mosques, temples, and other religious structures that are built without proper approvals pose a unique challenge because they are deeply embedded in the social and cultural fabric of the communities they serve.
This case serves as a precedent for how civic authorities may handle similar disputes in the future. The BMC’s decision to collaborate with the mosque trustees rather than impose an outright demolition helped mitigate tensions and avoided further unrest. However, it also signals that the authorities are serious about enforcing building regulations, even when it involves sensitive religious sites.
Moving forward, it is likely that the BMC will continue to face resistance when dealing with illegal constructions, particularly in areas like Dharavi, where population density and limited space create a breeding ground for unregulated development. The BMC will need to strike a delicate balance between enforcing the law and maintaining public order, especially when religious sentiments are at play.
A Necessary Step for Civic Order, But Sensitivity is Key
While the demolition of illegal portions of the Mehboob-e-Subhaniya Mosque was ultimately carried out peacefully, the situation highlights the complexities of urban governance in Mumbai. On the one hand, civic authorities must enforce laws consistently to prevent the proliferation of illegal constructions, which pose safety hazards and undermine urban planning. On the other hand, sensitivity is required when dealing with religious structures, which hold deep significance for local communities.
The BMC’s approach in this case—working with the mosque trustees to carry out the demolition themselves—was a positive step toward reducing conflict. However, the situation could have been better handled from the outset by engaging with community leaders earlier and finding a more collaborative solution before tensions escalated.
Ultimately, while laws must be upheld, the method of enforcement can make a significant difference in maintaining social harmony. As Mumbai continues to grow, it is crucial for civic authorities to enforce regulations while also respecting the cultural and religious diversity of the city’s inhabitants.
Conclusion
The demolition of illegal portions of the Mehboob-e-Subhaniya Mosque in Dharavi marks an important moment for Mumbai’s civic governance. It reaffirms the principle that illegal constructions, whether religious or otherwise, cannot be allowed to stand in violation of the law. However, it also underscores the need for authorities to approach such situations with a degree of sensitivity, particularly in areas where religious sentiment is strong.
By ensuring compliance with legal standards while avoiding unnecessary conflict, the BMC has set a precedent for future cases involving illegal constructions. As Mumbai continues to face the challenges of urbanization, maintaining this balance between enforcement and empathy will be key to fostering civic order and social cohesion.
The post Illegal Portions of Mumbai Mosque Demolished by Trustees Under BMC Supervision appeared first on Global Governance News- Asia's First Bilingual News portal for Global News and Updates.
