Mumbai, Nov 19: The long-simmering dispute between the Jain community and a wine shop has escalated to the Bombay High Court. A writ petition has been filed challenging an order issued by the Mumbai city collector, which had previously upheld the operating legality of Masjid Bunder-based Anand Wines, despite allegations that the liquor outlet is situated in violation of mandatory distance norms from the city’s second-oldest Jain temple.

The petition, filed on behalf of the temple trust and the Jain community, centers on the proximity of Anand Wines to Shree Anantnathji Maharaj Derasar, said to be Mumbai’s second oldest Jain temple built in 1833.

Although the dispute has been long standing between the religious institution and the liquor shop, it peaked recently after the Mumbai City collector dismissed the petitioner’s complaint dated March 27, 2024, seeking relocation of the liquor shop.

The complaint read, “The presence of the wine shop in such close proximity to a place of worship is inappropriate and disrespectful. The residents have raised concerns that are impacting the sanctity and tranquility of the area.

Based on this, the state excise department commenced an inquiry and found that the liquor shop was established on August 12, 1999, after being shifted from Bhuleshwar, where it was named as Tipu Wines. It noted that the shop’s license marked it free from restrictions at the time of transfer.

However, the department’s survey revealed that the liquor shop is 88.4 metres away from the temple’s main gate. However, it also recorded that the distance between the temple’s backdoor and the wine shop was only 13 metres, which violated the norms prescribed under Mumbai Foreign Liquor Rules, 1953.

“The licensee does not appear to be free from restrictions as it is within 50 metres of the nearest entrance of a registered religious institution,” read the show cause notice to Anand Wines, seeking reply about why its license should not be cancelled since it is not exempted from the inter-restrictions.

However, the collector dismissed the complaint stating that the distance between the front door and the wine shop is 87.2 metres and therefore it is free from restrictions.

He cited the survey by the state excise department’s deputy superintendent, which said that the back door was found closed on all the three occasions of the official’s visit, hinting that the door is not in use. The order also cited the then collector’s order granting license to Anand Wines, calling it free from restrictions.

The petition challenges the order stating that it considered a report from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, dated April 19, 2025, which recorded that there is no reference of backdoor of the said temple but did not consider the temple CEO Rajendra Khona’s statement to the excise department, dated June 3, 2024, which stated that the temple’s backdoor is being used for religious work. It alleged the order to be bad in law, highlighting the contrary findings in BMC report and state excise department’s records.

It has urged the High Court to quash and set aside the district collector’s order dated July 3, 2025, and cancel the liquor license issued to Anand Wines under the provisions of Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949. It also prayed the court to suspend operations of the liquor shop’s license until the final disposal of the petition.

Contacted Sushil Khatanhar, the owner of Anand Wines, who said, “We have been running this business for 25 years and there has never been any objection from any local citizen. The temple’s back gate has not opened in the last 30 years and they have recently started opening it to make it an issue against us. This is a tactic used to harass us so that we give up our shop.”

Mumbai: Mumbai awoke on Thursday to an unusually crisp and pleasantly cool morning, offering residents a rare November respite from the city’s typically warm and humid weather. Early risers stepped out to clear skies, gentle winds and a mild chill, conditions that briefly made the city feel closer to winter than its usual tropical climate. Minimum temperatures dipped to below 20°C in the pre-dawn hours, adding to the refreshing start.

The pleasant weather, however, came with a downside. A thin yet persistent layer of smog hung over the skyline, blurring visibility and reminding citizens of the city’s persistent air pollution concerns. While the cool breeze brought comfort, the hazy air muted what could have been an idyllic early winter-like morning.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), clear skies are expected to continue throughout the day, with maximum temperatures reaching up to 34°C. The cool night and early-morning conditions are likely to persist over the next couple of days, although the city’s air quality remains a major worry.

By Thursday morning, Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) had shot up to 243, placing it firmly in the ‘unhealthy’ category. This marks a sharp jump from the moderate levels recorded earlier this month. Several locations reported worryingly high values, with industrial and densely populated pockets emerging as the worst affected.

The Wadala Truck Terminal recorded the day’s highest AQI at 396, categorised as ‘severe’. Deonar (327) and Malad (320) also reported severe pollution levels, while Colaba (317) and Worli (312) were not far behind.

Suburban areas fared slightly better but still remained in problematic ranges: Kandivali East registered 120 and Borivali East 157, both considered ‘poor’. Mankhurd (187), Bhandup West (204) and Jogeshwari (221) reported ‘unhealthy’ readings, highlighting the widespread nature of the pollution surge.

For context, AQI values between 0–50 are classified as ‘good’, 51–100 as ‘moderate’, 101–150 ‘poor’, 151–200 ‘unhealthy’ and anything above 200 as ‘severe’ or ‘hazardous’.

Chennai, Nov 19: Striking an emotional chord with farmers present at the CODISSIA grounds in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that he should have learnt Tamil in his childhood.

“Farmer leader P. R. Pandian’s speech was excellent because it was in Tamil. I could not understand it fully. I felt I should have learnt Tamil in my childhood,” the Prime Minister said, drawing applause from the farmers.

PM Modi added that he had requested Governor R. N. Ravi to provide a translation of the speech in English or Hindi.

Speaking at the inauguration of the three-day summit, PM Modi underlined the Centre’s commitment to supporting farmers and strengthening natural farming practices across the country.

He announced that the latest instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme had been released from the very platform of the event.

“Today, we have disbursed Rs 18,000 crore directly into the bank accounts of farmers across India. Under this scheme, more than Rs 4 lakh crore has already been transferred directly to farmers so far,” he said.

The Prime Minister also praised Coimbatore’s evolving identity.

“Coimbatore, long proud of its textile industry, has today become proud for another reason – its leadership in natural farming,” he said.

He acknowledged former MP and BJP national vice president C.P. Radhakrishnan for “guiding and inspiring the movement”, noting that the city was emerging as a vibrant centre for sustainable agricultural practices.

Earlier, PM Modi visited the organic farming pavilions set up at the venue. He interacted with farmers, reviewed a range of natural farming products, and explored stalls displaying innovations in the organic sector.

The Prime Minister said the diversity he saw at the summit, from engineers and ISRO scientists to start-up entrepreneurs and farmers, was a powerful reflection of India’s agricultural transformation.

“Had I not come here today, I would have missed a great deal,” he said.

The Prime Minister highlighted the rapid expansion of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, noting that farmers had availed benefits worth Rs 10,000 crore this year alone.

Livestock rearers and fishermen, he said, had also made substantial gains after being included under the KCC framework.

The reduction of GST on organic fertilisers has delivered further benefits to cultivators.

Touching upon Tamil Nadu’s traditions, PM Modi said, “For Lord Murugan, Tamil Nadu prepares honey, thinai and special powders. Our government is working to ensure that the finest millet-based foods from Tamil Nadu reach global markets.”

The South India Organic Farmers’ Summit will continue for the next two days, featuring technical sessions, exhibitions, and interactions among farmers, scientists and agri-innovators.