This is an archive article published on April 20, 2025
Portions of Jain temple razed: Politicians attack BMC, Jain community protests, civic body transfers key K/East ward official
Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Aaditya Thackeray wrote on X, “The BMC is now fully and directly controlled by the Chief Minister’s Office and UD minister’s office”
Anil Shah, a trustee of the temple, said the temple was constructed in 1997. “The BMC has been insistent that we remove the structure in entirety (archive)
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday transferred assistant municipal commissioner Navnath Ghadge from the K/East ward under whose jurisdiction areas like Andheri East and Vile Parle fall. The move came after politicians across party lines criticised the civic body for demolishing portions of a Jain temple at Vile Parle (East).
The charge has been handed over to senior municipal official Swapnaja Khirsagar.
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Earlier on April 16, BMC’s local K/East ward office demolished portions of the temple terming them as illegal. The civic body came under attack from politicians. Meanwhile on Saturday evening, members from the Jain community staged a protest outside the temple.
Mumbai Congress chief and Lok Sabha MP Varsha Gaikwad, who joined the protest, said, “The BMC’s decision was hasty and arbitrary and what is more unfortunate is that to be heard the entire community had to come out on the streets.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Aaditya Thackeray wrote on X, “The BMC is now fully and directly controlled by the Chief Minister’s Office and UD minister’s office.”
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Congress’ Pawan Khera also wrote on X, “The Jain community is hurt by the BMC’s demolition of the decades old Digambar Jain temple without any hearing. There is great anger among the minority community of the country due to the continuous targeting of religious places and institutions. What enmity does the BJP have with the tolerance and harmony of the country?”
Anil Shah, a trustee of the temple, said the temple was constructed in 1997. “The BMC has been insistent that we remove the structure in entirety. We have also applied to the BMC for regularisation but reject our plea repeatedly. We had approached the court which had given a stay,” Shah said.
When contacted a civic official said the action came following a court order.
Anil Shah, a trustee of the temple, said the temple was constructed in 1997. “The BMC has been insistent that we remove the structure in entirety (archive) 
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