The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's drive to demolish an alleged illegal portion of a mosque in densely-populated Dharavi in Mumbai has been cancelled for today. The BMC has given eight days to the mosque committee.
The decision comes after hundreds of people assembled outside the Dharavi police station located there and squatted on the road to protest 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..."
Tension prevailed in Mumbai's Dharavi as a team of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation reached the area, which is Asia's largest slum, to demolish the "illegal" portion of a mosque.
Meanwhile, MP Varsha Gaikwad met Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and discussed the issue. "Today I met the Chief Minister regarding the BMC's demolition notice to Mehboob-e-Subaniya Mosque in Dharavi and conveyed the sentiments of the people. I had a positive conversation with the Chief Minister. He said that he will talk to the concerned officials and assured that the demolition proceedings will be stopped," she wrote on X.
BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya said he has written a letter to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding action against unauthorized mosque and "land jihad". "Building and expanding unauthorized mosque in Dharavi is promoting land jihad. When government employees come to demolish unauthorised constructions, Uddhav Thackeray, Sena and Congress leaders instigate riots by provoking the Muslim community," he alleged.