Residents say families are suffering; social workers warn BMC that locals may begin burials themselves if authorities fail to start operations soon
MUMBAI — Muslim residents in the iconic Juhu area have intensified their demand for the immediate opening of the Kapaswadi graveyard on Link Road, saying local families have been facing serious difficulties for years because burial services at the Sunni cemetery have still not started despite the completion of major construction work.
The issue has now become a matter of growing frustration among residents and community leaders, who accuse the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation of unnecessary delay.
Local people said the land for the cemetery had been allotted years ago and burial facilities for the Shia and Khoja communities on adjacent plots had already become operational long ago, while the Sunni graveyard remained non-functional.
Because of this delay, many Muslim families in the area are forced to take bodies to distant graveyards in places such as Arla and other areas of Mumbai for burial.
Residents say this causes emotional and logistical hardship, especially during emergencies and difficult weather conditions.
Mohammad Patel, one of the leading voices raising the issue, has now openly warned civic officials that locals may start burials themselves if the administration continues delaying the process.
Patel said he had already sent a message to the ward officer of BMC’s K-West ward, Chakar Pani Alai, warning that patience among residents was thinning out.
“If burial work does not start within a week, we ourselves will begin burying the dead there,” Patel said.
Speaking further, he explained that the land had originally been reserved during the tenure of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.
“A separate space was allotted for Christian, Shia, Khoja and Sunni graveyards. Burial activity started long ago in other graveyards, but the Sunni graveyard issue remained pending for one reason or another,” he said.
Patel added that now the cemetery structure was nearly complete and there appeared to be no valid reason for further delay.
“The graveyard has been built, so why is the process still not starting? Who are they waiting for?” he asked.
He also warned that with the monsoon season approaching, authorities could later use heavy rain as another reason for postponement.
“After some time, rain will begin and then they will say burial work will become difficult due to the weather. How long should local Muslims continue facing hardship despite the facility being ready?” he said.
Former corporator and vice-president of the Mumbai chapter of Congress, Mohsin Haider, who has been actively associated with the cemetery project, said only minor work and cleaning remained.
“The burial process can begin even today itself,” he said.
Mohsin Haider listed several reasons behind the prolonged delay. According to him, negligence by the civic administration was one of the biggest causes.
He also pointed to delays in proper identification of the land, the need to clear and level the area because it previously functioned as a dumping ground, delays in appointing supervisory management, and objections raised by some residents living near the cemetery.
Community leaders said the cemetery issue has dragged on for years despite repeated requests from local Muslims.
Maulana Syed Moinuddin Ashraf, also known as Moin Mian, said efforts were made by several individuals to complete the cemetery project.
He particularly remembered the contribution of late Safdar Karmali, saying he had played a major role in the struggle related to the graveyard.
“Now that the work is almost complete, there should not be any further delay in starting burials,” Moin Mian said.
He also praised Mohsin Haider for his role in the project and said the cemetery had been designed in a way that maximum burial space could be utilised.
“The burial process will begin here very soon without further delay,” he expressed hope.
The management and supervision of the cemetery has reportedly been entrusted to Jamia Qadri Ashrafia Educational and Charitable Trust.
The issue has once again highlighted the shortage of burial space faced by Muslims in several parts of Mumbai, where growing population pressure and administrative delays have often created difficulties for local communities.
Residents said the opening of the Kapaswadi graveyard would provide major relief to hundreds of Muslim families living in Juhu and nearby areas who currently struggle with funeral arrangements.
For now, all eyes remain on the BMC administration as local Muslims wait to see whether burial operations finally begin at the cemetery after years of delay and repeated demands from the community.
