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Maharashtra

Mumbai Namaz Row: BJP Leader Kirit Somaiya Seeks Ban On Prayers On Public Roads, Sparks Political Row

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Mumbai, June 2: The debate over offering namaz on public roads has resurfaced in Maharashtra after senior BJP leader and former Member of Parliament Kirit Somaiya demanded a complete ban on the practice in Mumbai, triggering a fresh political confrontation with Samajwadi Party leaders.

In a letter dated June 2, addressed to Mumbai’s Municipal Commissioner and Police Commissioner, Somaiya described the offering of namaz on roads and public spaces as a “serious problem” that requires immediate intervention from civic and law enforcement authorities.

According to Somaiya, prayers are regularly conducted outside railway stations and on busy roads, particularly on Friday afternoons, resulting in traffic congestion and disruption to public movement. He alleged that the practice can cause traffic delays lasting up to an hour and adversely affects the daily routine of commuters and residents.

“No group has the right to disrupt public infrastructure on a working day in the name of religion,” Somaiya stated, urging the Mumbai Police, Traffic Police and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take responsibility and impose a strict ban on street prayers.

The BJP leader also referred to judicial rulings that restrict religious, cultural and political activities in public spaces such as playgrounds and gardens. He argued that permitting prayers on roads creates an undesirable precedent and undermines the principle of equal application of the law.

The demand, however, drew a sharp response from Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi, who accused Somaiya of adopting a selective approach towards the use of public spaces for religious activities.

“Muslims have never demanded a ban on religious events held on roads by other communities,” Azmi said. “Mosques are often overcrowded and the timing of namaz is fixed. Offering prayers is compulsory for Muslims, and some people are therefore compelled to pray on roads. The prayers usually do not take more than ten minutes.”

Azmi maintained that singling out namaz while permitting other religious functions on public roads would amount to discrimination. He argued that if authorities choose to prohibit one form of religious activity on roads, the same standard should be applied to all communities.

Meanwhile, in a separate development linked to Somaiya’s complaints regarding alleged encroachments, an unauthorised dargah known as Hazrat Sayyad Pir Baba in Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon, was demolished on Tuesday.

The action followed a complaint filed by Somaiya, who had earlier alleged that illegal structures were being erected within Aarey Colony and the adjoining Sanjay Gandhi National Park under the guise of a religious institution.

Maharashtra

Mumbai : Major operation by Food and Drug Administration in Mulund, unlabeled food items seized, stock seized, businesses closed

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Mumbai: The Mumbai Food and Drug Department has claimed to have seized unsanitary food items in a crackdown on unhygienic food items on the orders of FDA Commissioner Takaram Munde and under the guidance of Joint Commissioner (Food) Mahesh Chaudhary and Assistant Commissioner Chhatarpal Singh Devi. A special team of Safety Officer Rishikesh Rajesh Darshanwad and Meghna Pawar has launched a drive to take action against illegal and non-compliant food traders in Mumbai. Under this drive, the team conducted a physical inspection of the plantation of “Gupta Chana Bhinder” (Gala No. TG 137, 1/1 Dumping Road, Gautam Nagar, Milind West, Milind Central, Greater Mumbai) in Mulund. During the inspection, extremely poor and unsanitary conditions were found in the factory and the godown. In addition, there was no legal label on the packets of various food items manufactured and kept for sale in the factory, such as the manufacturer, date of manufacture or expiry date (without label). Taking immediate notice of these serious matters that are playing with the health of the public, the food safety officers have legally seized a total of 114.2 kg of food items from the factory, with an estimated value of Rs. 20 crore. The seized items included pani puri, sukhi puri, green peas and other items. Seizure of food items and testing of samples: All the above unlabeled and suspiciously colored stocks have been legally seized and the samples of the food items have been sent for further laboratory analysis. Further action will be taken under the law after receiving the analysis report. Notice to Close Business In view of the possibility of pest infestation in the farm and the fear of large-scale violation of laws, an order has been issued to immediately close the business of the said farm until the deficiencies identified by the administration are completely eliminated and the premises are completely disinfected and cleaned. Therefore, the FDA has taken action against the foodstuff.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai: Encroachments on Andheri Service Road cleared after BMC’s action against illegal hotels on open land

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Mumbai: The BMC has launched a drive against illegal encroachment of hotels on open land in Mumbai and has removed the encroachments of several hotels, including the extensions of What’s Your Excuse, True 9, Juliet and Yazoo hotels. Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi has directed to take strict action against hotels illegally encroaching on the open land required for service areas. As per this directive, the operation has been started across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Under this, the West Division Office has removed the extensions of famous hotels in the Veera Desai Marg and Office New Link Road areas of Andheri West. Apart from this, the used materials have also been seized. The operation was carried out on Tuesday (June 9, 2026) by a team led by Deputy Commissioner (Zone 4) Bhagya Shri Kapse. Assistant Commissioner (West Zone) Chakrapani was accompanied by the Health Department (MOH), License Department (License), Fire Department (Fire) and Building and Factories Department (B&F). The operation was carried out by a joint team of the Health Department (MOH), License Department (License), Fire Department (Fire) and Building and Factories Department (B&F). The operation involved hotels What’s Your Excuse, True 9, Juliet and Yazoo in the Vera Desai Road and Office New Link Road areas of Andheri (West). During this operation, 24 chairs, 1 cooking range, microwave oven, 3 coolers, 1 electric fryer and 2 speakers were seized by the Health and License Department. A total of 20 manpower including officers, employees, labourers and fire brigade personnel of the department were deployed during this operation. Apart from this, JCB machinery was used. Assistant Commissioner (K-West Division) Chakrapani Ale said that these hoteliers have illegally encroached on the mandatory vacant land and expanded their service area. The unauthorized additional constructions of these hotels have been removed and the related equipment has also been seized. Chakrapani Ale has clarified that strict action will continue against unauthorized constructions in the future as well.

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Maharashtra

Sunetra Pawar charts NCP’s future course on party’s foundation day, invokes Ajit Pawar’s vision

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Mumbai, June 10: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) national president Sunetra Pawar, on Wednesday, marking the party’s 27th foundation day, called upon workers to renew their commitment towards building a stronger, more prosperous, and progressive Maharashtra.

She urged party members to draw inspiration from the ideals of Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar, while following the progressive path laid down by the late Yashwantrao Chavan.

Sunetra Pawar also paid tribute to the late former NCP president and former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and pledged to carry forward his ideals and legacy.

In a post on X, she extended greetings to senior leaders, office-bearers, workers, supporters and well-wishers on its 27th anniversary. This year’s Foundation Day is being observed for the first time after Ajit Pawar’s untimely death in a plane crash near Baramati on January 28.

She noted that the NCP, rooted in the progressive legacy of Shiv-Shahu-Phule-Ambedkar and guided by the people-centric and development-oriented politics envisioned by Yashwantrao Chavan, has completed 27 successful years.

“In this journey, the unwavering support from countless leaders, office-bearers, workers and the people has truly been our greatest strength. But as we celebrate this year’s Foundation Day, a different emotion wells up in the heart. Because today, our respected Ajit Dada is no longer with us,” she said.

“Speeches will be delivered in the assembly halls, gatherings of workers will take place, the party flag will flutter with equal pride, but in every moment, a void will linger. Dada was not just a leader of the party; he was the pillar of support. He was the one who rushed to the joys and sorrows of workers and ordinary citizens, who stood firmly by their side in times of crisis, who gently corrected them when they erred, and who patted their backs in appreciation for good work. Dada had become a part of everyone’s life. The human being was at the centre of the politics he nurtured,” the NCP chief said.

NCP national working president Praful Patel also congratulated party workers and office-bearers on the occasion. “I am grateful to you all for your tireless efforts and dedication in taking our ideology to every last person, guiding our path to serve the people selflessly. May we continue working together with utmost commitment and determination,” he said.

Party’s Rajya Sabha MP Parth Pawar said that under the leadership of Sunetra Pawar, the party was moving forward with renewed confidence.

“Today, under the capable leadership of the national president of the party, Hon. Smt. Sunetra Ajitdada Pawar, the Nationalist Congress Party is marching forward with renewed hope. Carrying forward the legacy of progressive thought and the goal of inclusive development, the party is more firmly committed to serving the people,” he said.

Parth Pawar added that the NCP had consistently focused on development, social equality and the welfare of farmers, workers, youth and ordinary citizens.

“People’s leader Ajitdada Pawar set a unique example of public service through his development-oriented, people-centric and result-driven working style. The vision of development he upheld for Maharashtra’s all-round progress and his bond with the common man continue to inspire the party even today,” he said.

The Maharashtra NCP unit, in a separate post on X, said the party’s 27th Foundation Day was dedicated to the memory of Ajit Pawar.

“For the past 27 years, the Nationalist Congress Party has consistently worked to give voice to the hopes and aspirations of farmers, labourers, women, youth and marginalised sections in Maharashtra. To secure justice for people’s issues, open new avenues of development and strengthen Maharashtra’s progressive ideals, the party has stood shoulder to shoulder with the people in every struggle,” the party said.

According to the NCP, its journey has been more than a political movement and reflects public trust, social responsibility and commitment to public welfare. The party said this tradition, built through the sacrifices and hard work of countless workers, continues to grow stronger with the support and blessings of the people.

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