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Maharashtra

Mumbai College Sparks Outcry with Dress Code Ban On Religious Attire; Students Divided, Legal Battle Looms

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Mumbai: As Acharya Marathe College in Chembur continues to prohibit naqab, hijab, and burqa on the campus, the female Muslim students who wear this customary attire are chartering varied courses.

Following the Bombay High Court (HC) order upholding the college’s right to enforce a dress code, several students, including men, have left the college for other institutes. Among those still there, some have started taking off their coverings in the classrooms, while nine others who had moved HC against the restrictions are barred from classes.

About The Controversy

The college caused controversy in May after it introduced a ‘dress code’ for all undergraduates students, requiring them to only wear ‘formal’ and ‘decent’ clothes. Specifically forbidden are religious attire including hijab, naqab, burqa, stole, and cap. The diktat was challenged as “discriminatory and infringing on religious and personal freedoms”.

After a favourable order from the court on June 26, the college started evicting from classrooms not only those donning religious attire, but also those wearing torn and printed jeans and t-shirts. While the college refuses to relent, the petitioners are considering appealing before the Supreme Court. Even as they evaluate the implications, including the considerable cost, they make it a point to come to the college daily. They go to the college, get themselves pictured in front of the gate, and return home.

“We need to show that we intend to study here,” said one of them. However, a few others are choosing other colleges to avoid loss of education, without having to compromise on religion.

Students On The Hijab Row

Nisha Ansari, a second-year BSc student, said that she has applied for a leaving certificate. “I can’t bring myself to remove my naqab and burqa. Religion is important for me and I can’t lose my identity,” she said, adding, “I just hope to find a college that would allow me to wear them.” Inayatullah Shah, a third-year BCom student, also switched colleges after being asked to remove his skullcap.”

“I usually wear kurta, pajamas, and a cap. I tried explaining to college authorities that it’s a cultural dress, not a religious one. There’s a logical fallacy in what they are saying – there’s no correlation between clothes and academics. Education is all about hard and smart work, not about what you wear,” he said.

A considerable number of students have reluctantly fallen in line. A third-year science student, who earlier wore burqa, now attends without it. The staff wouldn’t even let her cover her head with a dupatta (shawl).

“I now just sit in a corner of the classroom and keep to myself,” she said.

Meanwhile, the college has softened towards other clothing items, as it now allows students to wear ‘plain’ jeans.

“The security lets us in if we have plain jeans on, but the printed ones are still not allowed,” said Samir Choudhary, a third-year BCom student.

Maharashtra

Three lakh pilgrims visit Haji Ali in Mumbai on Eid

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Mumbai: Eid-ul-Fitr passed off peacefully in Mumbai. Muslims celebrated Eid with simplicity and protested against the Waqf Bill by offering namaz with black bands on their arms. After Eid-ul-Fitr, a huge crowd of pilgrims thronged Haji Ali and Mahim dargahs. Three lakh pilgrims visited Haji Ali, for which the police had made tight security arrangements.

More than 300,000 pilgrims visited Haji Ali Dargah on the occasion of Basi Eid 2025. As per the preparations made with the Haji Ali Dargah Trust

200 volunteers

25 swimmers

78 CCTV cameras, CCTV camera operators, public announcement were arranged on the main road as well as in the dargah premises. First aid facilities were available on the main road as well as in the dargah premises. Heavy police force was deployed for search, barricades and ropes were also arranged. Eid and Basi Eid passed off peacefully in Mumbai and no untoward incident took place. On the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Panchalkar, the police had made additional security arrangements at dargahs and mosques.

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Crime

Mumbai Malad Gudi Padwa violence: Three arrested, situation peaceful, police alert, DCP Asmita Hotel

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Mumbai: After the violence on Gudi Padwa in Malad, Mumbai, the situation is now peaceful here, but despite this, politics has also started on this issue and an attempt has been made to spread communal tension by giving it a Hindu-Muslim color. On the occasion of Gudi Padwa, a local youth attacked five minors passing in front of Noorani Mosque. In this case, the police has controlled the situation and so far three people have been arrested. A case of rioting has also been registered against them. The crowd is also being identified. The accused have been identified on the basis of CCTV and three people have been arrested. Along with this, after getting control of the situation, the police has put Malad on high alert and is also keeping an eye on communal elements.

Now communal elements have started trying to spoil the atmosphere in Mumbai, so the police is also keeping an eye on social media. Local DCP Smita Patil said that the situation in Malad Maloni is peaceful and action is being taken against the miscreants. Arrests are also continuing after examining CCTV footage and other footage.

So far three people have been arrested in this case, one of whom is Sharan, who attacked the minor. In this case, Vishwa Hindu Parishad Bajrang Dal has given an ultimatum to the police that if they do not arrest the accused as soon as possible, they will protest. In this case, the DCP has made tight security arrangements at all places and has also appealed not to pay attention to rumors and not to share unverified videos or controversial posts on social media. The police is on alert to maintain law and order in Mumbai and Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Panchalkar has issued strict instructions.

Sanjay Nirupam’s venomous attack on the violence on Gaddi Padwa

After the violence on Gudi Padwa, Sanjay Nirupam has made many serious allegations against the police, he has accused the police of delaying action and protecting the accused. He has questioned the action of Mumbai Police and said that the main accused Sharan and his mother do not allow Hindus to celebrate their festivals and their hooliganism continues here. Sanjay Nirupam has called Muslims Jihadis. Sanjay Nirupam said that the police took action when pressure was put on them.

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Maharashtra

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Achieves Historic Property Tax Collection Nearing ₹800 Crores In Financial Year 2024-25

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Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has reached a historic property tax collection of Rs 795 crore for the first time ever. High-ranking officials from the property tax department mentioned that this amount might increase since the deadline for online payments remains available until midnight.

A campaign was launched to engage delinquent taxpayers, and the collection offices stayed open during holidays. Moreover, the ‘Abhay Yojana’ was introduced on March 10, 2025, providing a 50 percent reduction on late fees for outstanding payments if settled by March 31, 2025.

Municipal Commissioner took advantage of the chance to auction assets owned by individuals with tax debts, after sending notices to proprietors with unpaid taxes for three straight years, including state entities. This initiative led to the largest recovery of property taxes in the municipality’s history, according to report by Lokmat.

Municipal Commissioner Dr. Shinde advised property owners at risk of confiscation to settle their debts right away, cautioning that seized properties would go up for auction beginning in April 2025.

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation Achieves Historic Property Tax Collection Of ₹795 Crores. Comparative data shows a steady increase in property tax income over the years: ₹521 crore in 2021-22, ₹562 crore in 2022-23, and ₹666 crore in 2023-24.

During the first nine months of the financial year 2023-24, Rs 465.70 crore has been gathered, rising from Rs 398.65 crore in the equivalent timeframe of the prior year. The NMMC aimed to reach its target of Rs 800 crore for the whole financial year, ultimately arriving at Rs 795 crores.

PMC Achieves Record Property Tax Collection

The Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) has reached a historic Rs 400 crore in property tax revenue this financial year, representing its highest earnings since being founded in 2016.

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