Mumbai: Demolition efforts began at the Mahboob-e-Subhaniya Mosque in Dharavi in the wee hours of Monday in order to eliminate the illegal portion of the structure. The razing efforts were focused on a minaret, with a green curtain erected around the section as wooden supports were used for the dismantling process. According to reports, the demolition was peacefully carried out by the mosque authorities.

Protests In Dharavi Against Demolition

The uproar surrounding the structure escalated on September 21 when the mosque committee requested a week to dismantle the illegal portion of the structure themselves. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had deemed a 20-foot minaret of the mosque illegal.

Tensions in the area escalated earlier that day when thousands of Dharavi residents took to the streets to oppose the BMC’s demolition plans. Protesters prevented municipal officials from entering the lane where the mosque is located, leading to a standoff. Crowds gathered outside the Dharavi police station, blocking roads and voicing their opposition.

In connection with the protests, three individuals were arrested by the police for obstructing government work, inciting riots and damaging public property.

Provocative Posts Led To Protest In Dharavi

According to police reports, several provocative social media posts from anonymous accounts called for mass participation in the Dharavi protests. As a result, an estimated 5,000 people gathered, with many participants reportedly coming from outside the area. During the demonstration, two Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) vans were vandalised, their front glass shattered by bamboo sticks and stones.

The large crowd also caused major traffic disruption. However, both the Dharavi police and traffic police managed to clear the roads by making loudspeaker announcements. Fortunately, the crowd complied, allowing buses and vehicles to pass, preventing further escalation of the situation.

Mumbai: Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections 2024, the government has been holding marathon cabinet meetings. On Monday morning (September 30) too a cabinet meeting is scheduled and major decisions and announcements are expected as the model code of conduct for the assembly polls will come into effect anytime soon. The term of the current government ends on November 26 and polls will be held before that.

Last week, the government made 24 decisions in the cabinet meeting that were not on the agenda and were introduced at the last minute. Notably, this could be the last meeting before the election commission announces the polling schedule and model code of conduct is implemented, after which no government decision can be taken.

In the last cabinet meeting, the Mahayuti government took a significant decision ahead of polls to include three caste groups – Tilori Kunbi, Tillori Kunbi and Ti Kunbi in the other backward class (OBC) category. Approving a long pending demand of the milk producers, the cabinet decided to offer Rs 7 per liter, instead of Rs 5 as a grant for cow milk. The Rs 965.24 crore earmarked for the purpose will make scores of milk producers happy ahead of the elections as they will get Rs 35 per liter as the procurement price.

The state ministers have been hinting that the code of conduct will come into effect in first or second week of October. PM Modi is expected to be in Mumbai to inaugurate government’s ambitious underground Metro 3 project. While, Home Minister Amit Shah will be in Mumbai on tomorrow (Tuesday, October 1) to hold final talks on Mahayuti seat-sharing and poll preparations on the booth level.

It is said that after PM Modi’s and Amit Shah’s visit the assembly poll schedule will be announced. Meanwhile, on Saturday during the press conference in Mumbai, Election Commissioner India indicated that the elections are expected to occur after Diwali and acknowledged that political parties had requested the Election Commission to consider major festivals, like Diwali, when scheduling.

Mumbai: The Election Commission of India (ECI) addressed a press conference in Mumbai on Saturday after their two-day visit to review the poll preparedness in Maharashtra ahead of assembly elections. The chief election commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar spoke on several topics including the encouraging rise in first-time voters. There are now a total of 9.59 crore registered voters in Maharashtra, who will pick the new government.

Of the total electors, male voters 4.59 crores and females are 4.64 crores. In an encouraging rise, the first-time voters from 18-19 years are around 19.48 lakhs, Rajiv Kumar said. “Our effort will be to ensure that there is maximum enrolment and voting in Maharashtra assembly elections,” he said, adding that there will be total 1,00,186 polling booths.

The CEC however, expressed his concern over the urban voter apathy, and said efforts are being made to ensure maximum polling in the ensuing Maharashtra assembly elections. Kumar singled out areas like Colaba and Kalyan in and around Mumbai which recorded “among the lowest” voter turnout in the Lok Sabha polls held this year.

“We have asked Maharashtra Government to shift officials who have served in their home district or current posting for over three years,” Kumar said, adding he has asked for a compliance report for the same in the next couple of days.

The ECI did not announce the poll schedule for the Maharashtra state elections, however the CEC said that the polls will be held before November 26 and that the political parties told the ECI to keep in mind festivals like Diwali, Dev Diwali and Chhath Puja before announcing the dates of the elections.

The term of the current government ends on November 26 and assembly elections for the 288 constituencies needs to be held before that. Out of total constituencies, General seats are 234, reserved for ST are 25 and reserved for SC are 29.