Mumbai: The celebration of Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi at Mumbai’s Mahim Dargah took place on September 8, with visuals showing vibrant community participation and devotion at the Mahim Dargah on Monday.

This year, the Muslim community decided to shift the main Eid-e-Milad processions to September 8 to maintain harmony, as Anant Chaturdashi, a Hindu festival, was observed on September 6. The change aimed to avoid any overlap or disruption between the two major religious events.

In a step towards ensuring smooth celebrations of both festivals, the Maharashtra government officially rescheduled the public holiday for Eid-e-Milad in Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts from Friday, September 5, to Monday, September 8.

This move was formally communicated through a notification from the Department of General Administration, released on Wednesday. The circular, issued in the name of the Governor of Maharashtra and signed by Deputy Secretary Dilip Deshpande, emphasised that the decision was taken “in the spirit of brotherhood” to allow peaceful celebrations for both communities.

Though the official holiday and processions were shifted, early celebrations and prayers at places like Mahim Dargah began before the official date, showcasing the unity and festive spirit of Mumbai’s diverse communities.

According to Islamic tradition, Prophet Muhammad was born in Mecca between 570 and 600 AD. His birth anniversary, observed on the 12th day of Rabi’ al-Awwal, is celebrated as Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi. The day marks both the birth and passing of the Prophet and serves as a reminder of his teachings and the values he upheld for the betterment of humanity.

On this sacred occasion, devotees worldwide come together with their family and friends, visiting mosques to offer prayers. Many bring garlands and chadars as offerings, symbolising deep devotion. These practices are an integral part of Muslim tradition and are believed to foster a spiritual connection with the divine. After prayers and rituals at the mosque or dargah, people embrace and greet one another warmly.

Mumbai: A 31-year-old woman doctor was allegedly attacked by a drunken man who also vandalised her luxury Audi car in Powai in the early hours of Sunday. The victim, employed at Asian Heart Hospital in Bandra Kurla Complex, had just returned home from duty when the incident occurred, leaving her shaken.

The doctor reached Filterpada around 5 am and parked her red Audi car near a tempo stand before walking towards her residence. Suddenly, a man identified as Abdullah Zuber Khan, a local resident of Pathanwadi, confronted her. Allegedly under the influence of alcohol, Khan was armed with a 1.5-foot knife and a three-foot-long iron rod. Without provocation, he reportedly charged at the woman, forcing her to flee to safety.

The doctor managed to escape and rushed home, later returning with her mother and brother. By then, Khan had shifted his aggression towards her vehicle, smashing the Audi parked near Shreenath Medical. He reportedly shattered the rear and side windows of the car. When confronted by the family, Khan allegedly brandished his knife, shouted threats and caused panic among locals before fleeing the scene.

The shaken doctor immediately alerted the police control room. A patrol team, including a male and female constable from Powai police, quickly arrived at the spot. The officers assured the woman of protection, began searching for the accused and directed her to lodge a formal complaint at Powai Police Station.

Based on her statement, the police registered a case against Khan for attempted assault, criminal intimidation, vandalism and creating public disturbance. He has been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, and copsare working to trace his whereabouts.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Quota activist Manoj Jarange on Monday demanded that the Maharashtra government implement a GR issued last week for issuing Kunbi caste certificates to Marathas before September 17, or else he will take a “tough decision” again.

Jarange ended his five-day-old fast for quota in Mumbai on September 2 when the government announced forming a committee to issue Kunbi caste certificates to Maratha community members with historical evidence of their Kunbi heritage, a social group classified as an Other Backward Class (OBC) in the state.

The government made the announcement in a resolution and it followed hectic talks between state ministers and Jarange.

The Kunbi is a traditional farming community in the state and they have been included in the list of OBC category in Maharashtra in order to make them eligible for government reservations in jobs and education.

The government resolution (GR) issued by the social justice and special assistance department also mentioned about implementing the Hyderabad gazetteer.

“We expect that the government will ask the taluka level offices in the state to act upon the GR. We expect that the work should start before September 17. If not done, I will have to make tough decisions,” Jarange told reporters at a hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

He has been undergoing treatment at the hospital since he called off his agitation in Mumbai last week.

“The distribution of certificates should start based on the GR before September 17. I believe the government will act on it. If they listen to someone from Yeola (apparently referring to minister Chhagan Bhujbal) and anything goes wrong, we will also challenge the 1994 GR that gave our reservation to others,” Jarange said.

Bhujbal, an OBC leader, has been opposing reservation to Marathas under the Other Backward Classes category.

September 17 is observed as the Marathwada Liberation Day. It marks the anniversary of Marathwada’s integration with India and the annexation of Hyderabad state, which was under the rule of Nizam, into the Union of India.

Jarange also claimed some Maratha scholars, who claimed the GR will not help the community, have “gone crazy” and are not able to sleep because of the government order.

“The Maratha community in the state should be a little patient (about the GR),” the activist said.

“We will announce our policy further at the Dussehra rally at Narayangad in Beed. It (rally) will not be very big, but it will take place,” he said.

Notably, activist Vinod Patil, who has filed petitions in courts concerning the Maratha quota, last week called GR on granting Kunbi certificates to eligible community members “completely useless”.

The GR, issued after Jarange launched the agitation, will not benefit the community in any meaningful way, claimed Patil.