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Mumbai: BMC’s Wood And Coal Ban Sparks Heritage Status Demand For Irani Cafés And Century-Old Bakeries

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Mumbai: The BMC has mandated that by July 8, all restaurants, dhabas, and bakeries using wood and coal switch to green fuels to combat pollution. However, the political leaders have called for halting actions against Irani cafés and bakeries, urging the city to grant them heritage status. The civic officials emphasised that the shift is being enforced as per Bombay High Court (HC) directives to reduce pollution and protect public health.

The India Bakers’ Association (IBA) recently informed MLA Rahul Narwekar that many of its bakeries, some operating for over a century, bake pav in wood-fired ovens. They raised concerns that the HC’s January 9 order banning wood and charcoal in commercial kitchens to improve air quality would disrupt the supply of pav, essential for vada pav.

In support, former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging that Mumbai’s iconic Irani cafés and bakeries be exempted from the ban and granted heritage status to preserve their culinary legacy.

In his letter Narwekar said, “Irani Cafes, integral to Mumbai’s culinary history since the 19th century, should be granted heritage status to preserve their traditions. The state government should exempt them from the ban on wood and charcoal use.”

He cited examples of historic eateries in New York and centuries-old windmills in the Netherlands, which are preserved through similar exemptions to protect cultural heritage. Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh has called for an urgent hearing for bakers, Irani cafes, and bakeries before the BMC’s air pollution control committee.

Along with bakery owners, he recently met with Additional Municipal Commissioner Vipin Sharma, highlighting the lack of piped gas infrastructure in many areas. Shaikh emphasised, “Without the necessary infrastructure, how can bakery owners transition to cleaner alternatives within six months? A meeting with MGL and MPCB should be convened to address this before enforcing the regulations.”

Meanwhile, a civic official said, “Bakeries, hotels, restaurants, street food vendors, and tandoor-based businesses in Mumbai often use low-quality wood or broken furniture as fuel, releasing harmful gases that pose serious health risks. These businesses contribute to air pollution, leading to lung disorders, heart diseases, and other ailments. We have not received any directions from state and BMC Administration to stop the action.”

Maharashtra

Ameer Sunni Dawat-e-Islami Maulana Mohammad. Shakir Noori is once again included in the list of the 500 most influential Muslims of the year 2026.

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Mumbai: November 1 – Maulana Muhammad Shakir Noori, Ameer of Sunni Dawat-e-Islami, who has played a prominent role in the fields of education, social and welfare services, and religious and religious leadership, and under whose management the annual gathering held at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, is one of the largest Sunni gatherings in the world, has been included in the list of 500 most influential Muslims in the world. This list consists of those personalities who are playing a prominent role in the Muslim world with a spirit of positive change, leadership, influence and service. This list is compiled under the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center, Oman (Jordan) and is published every year in collaboration with the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University (USA). In a statement issued on Friday, Sunni Dawat-e-Islami said that Maulana Noori’s tireless efforts in promoting educational and social services and welfare works have earned him this honor at the global level.

The statement said that Maulana Shakir Noori, who leads one of India’s largest Sunni organizations, has impacted thousands of lives through education, women’s empowerment, youth guidance and anti-drug campaigns. This award is not only a recognition of Maulana Noori’s services but also reflects the positive and constructive identity of Indian Muslims at the global level. Sunni Dawat-e-Islami is a non-political religious organization headquartered in Mumbai. Every year around December, this organization organizes a three-day grand gathering that includes religious speeches, speeches on contemporary issues, and educational guidance for students.

About three hundred thousand people participate in this gathering annually. About 50 educational institutions are established under the organization, in which more than 7,000 students are studying. Maulana Noori has authored more than 40 books that have been published in different languages. He has started several welfare projects, including empowering Muslim youth and women through education, providing food and clothing to the poor, guiding the weaker sections, reforming the youth, and campaigns against drugs and intoxicants. On this joyful occasion, congratulations are being offered by scholars, preachers, and concerned people, and Hazrat Ameer Sunni Dawat-e-Islami is praying for his health and long life.

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Maharashtra

‘Run for Unity’ marathon organized in Malegaon on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, large number of youth participated

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Malegaon: On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of freedom fighter and iron man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a Run for Unity Marathon was organized in Malegaon city. A three-kilometer long Run for Unity Marathon (Ekta Door) was jointly organized by Azadnagar Police Station and Qila Police Station located in Malegaon city. A large number of youth participated in this race and enthusiastically covered a distance of three kilometers. This race was organized under the guidance and leadership of Nashik Gramin Superintendent of Police (SP) Balasaheb Patil. On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of national hero Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, this marathon was organized with the joint efforts of Azadnagar and Qila Police Station. The youth participated in the marathon and spread the message of peace, brotherhood and brotherhood.

The Ekta Door started on Friday at 10 am from Chandpuri Gate located in Azadnagar Police Station. The Ekta Run, which started from Azadnagar Police Station, passed through Khanqah Masjid, Khan Collection, Sulaimani Chowk, Musharat Chowk, Bhuko Chowk, Anjuman Chowk, Nehru Chowk, Bohra Jamaat Khana, Panch Qandil and ended at Azadnagar Police Station at 11 am. More than two hundred people participated in the run, including a large number of police officers, citizens and students. Students and youth also participated in this run in large numbers.

Yogesh Ghorpade, Central Police Officer of Azadnagar Police Station, not only organized the run but also participated in the three-kilometer long run himself. Along with Yogesh Ghorpade, Senior Police Inspector of Qila Police Station, Sudhir Patil also assisted in organizing the Run for Unity. Sohail Sheikh won the first place in the marathon run. While Sachin Mali won the second place and Sheikh Aftab won the third place. Participants under the age of eighteen were also awarded prizes and honors. Every citizen who participated in the marathon run was awarded a certificate. Apart from Azad Nagar and Qila Police, City Police Station also organized the Ekta Daur to spread the message of brotherhood.

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Maharashtra

Chargesheet filed against Mumbai drug traffickers under ANC’s Makoka

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Mumbai: Mumbai Maharashtra Anti-Narcotics Cell has filed a chargesheet in a special MCOCA court under the MCOCA against a drug peddler gang in Bandra Mumbai. The Maharashtra government had passed the MCOCA law in the assembly on July 30, 2025 to curb drug peddlers and gangs and since then, action has been taken against such drug peddler groups in Maharashtra under the MCOCA. The Anti-Narcotics Cell had arrested two associates of Zameer Ahmed Abdul Khaliq Ansari alias Boka, a fugitive accused in an NDPS case, from Bandra area of ​​Mumbai, on charges of drug trafficking, who have been identified as Adnan Amir Sheikh and Khatun Kainat Zubair Sheikh. The Anti-Narcotics Cell ANC has imposed MCOCA against the three accused, including the fugitive accused and drug smuggler. This action was taken on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti. A 953-page chargesheet has been filed in a special MCOCA court against these accused, including the fugitive accused.

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