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This is an archive article published on April 22, 2025

‘Criminal activity’: Maharashtra minority commission slams BMC for demolishing Jain temple

The Maharashtra State Minority Commission has asked the BMC to file a reply stating why a criminal offence should not be registered against officials for demolishing the Digambar Jain Temple at Vile Parle.

bmcThe BMC had demolished the 90-year-old structure being managed by the Shree 1008 Digambar Jain Mandir trust on April 16, sparking a furore among the members of the Jain community in the state as they hit the streets in protest.

The Maharashtra State Minority Commission on Tuesday pulled up the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for demolishing the Digambar Jain Temple at Vile Parle in Mumbai’s western suburbs, saying it was nothing less than a “criminal activity”.

The BMC had demolished the 90-year-old structure being managed by the Shree 1008 Digambar Jain Mandir trust on April 16, sparking a furore among the members of the Jain community in the state as they hit the streets in protest.

Hearing the complaints that were filed against the civic authorities, the minority commission chaired by Pyare Ziya Khan said that the demolition drive was nothing less than a “criminal activity” and asked the BMC to file a reply stating why a criminal offence should not be registered against the officials. The chairperson also ordered an immediate inspection of the site.

The commission also took cognisance of the BMC’s decision to demolish the structure in the early morning and sought a written statement about how many illegal structures have been demolished at such a time till now. The commission also instructed the police to assist the temple trustees in filing a complaint against the stolen items from the temple.

While the BMC officials present during the hearing refrained from making any comment on record, an official said, “The BMC has submitted its statement to the commission and will act and co-operate accordingly as per the commission’s demands.”

Politicians across party lines had criticised the civic body for the demolition. Days after the incident, the BMC had transferred assistant municipal commissioner Navnath Ghadge from the K/East ward. Areas like Andheri East and Vile Parle fell under Ghadge’s jurisdiction.

Pratip Acharya is a seasoned journalist based in Mumbai reporting for The Indian Express. With a career spanning over a decade, his work demonstrates strong Expertise and Authority in critical urban issues, civic affairs, and electoral politics across Eastern and Western India. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express (IE), reporting from Mumbai. Core Authority: Pratip's reporting focuses sharply on local democracy and development, specializing in: Urban Governance and Civic Affairs: Providing in-depth analysis of municipal decision-making, city planning, and local infrastructure, essential for informed urban reporting. City Politics and Environment: Covering the political dynamics of Mumbai and surrounding areas, alongside critical environmental challenges impacting the metro region. Electoral Coverage (High-Stakes Experience): He has extensive experience in high-stakes political reporting, having covered major elections, establishing his Trustworthiness in political analysis: National: Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019. State: West Bengal Assembly elections in 2016 and Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2019. Major Assignments (Ground Reporting): Pratip demonstrated commitment during crises by conducting ground reporting throughout the Covid-19 pandemic since its breakout in 2020, offering first-hand accounts and analysis of the public health crisis. Experience Extensive Experience: Starting his career in 2014, Pratip has built his foundation across multiple prominent English dailies: Started at The Times of India in Kolkata (2014). Relocated to Mumbai (2016) and worked with The Free Press Journal and Hindustan Times before joining The Indian Express. Pratip Acharya's diverse experience across major publications, coupled with his specialized focus on the intricate details of urban governance and a track record of covering major electoral and health crises, establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for news from India's critical metropolitan centres. ... Read More

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