Tension prevailed in Dharavi area, considered Asia’s largest slum, as civic staff reached the Mehboob-e-Subani Mosque to raze its portion
Team Clarion
MUMBAI — After strong opposition from Muslim residents, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) drive to demolish an alleged illegal portion of a mosque in the densely-populated Dharavi locality in the metropolis was deferred on Saturday. The BMC has given eight days to the mosque committee.
The decision comes after hundreds of Muslims protested outside the Dharavi police station and squatted on the road against the BMC’s action. A delegation from the mosque, BMC officials and Dharavi police also held talks to resolve the issue.
Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad said, “Action scheduled for today has been cancelled. We met the CM last night. We had urged him for this. Everyone kept forth their views here peacefully. It has been cancelled and everyone has gone home. I appeal to the people to maintain peace,” she was quoted by ABPNews as saying.
A tense situation was seen in the Dharavi area, considered Asia’s largest slum, as a civic staff reached to demolish the alleged illegal parts of the Mehboob-e-Subani Mosque. Protesting Muslims surrounded the BMC’s demolition vehicle preventing them from taking any action.
As per reports, the crowd attacked the BMC vehicle that came for action and in all two BMC vehicles bore the brunt of the attack.
Residents claim that the part of the mosque which the BMC wants to demolish is not new but the construction has been underway for the last few months. They raised concerns as to why the civic body wants to demolish now after turning a blind eye for months.
The situation is now under control, with members of various communities, including local Hindus and Muslims, appealing for peace at the scene. The police administration’s swift action has successfully restored complete order, said a BMC official.
BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya raised the bogey of ‘Land Jihad’ and said he had written to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding action against the “unauthorised” mosque. “Building and expanding unauthorised mosque in Dharavi is promoting “Land Jihad”, he said.
