While BMC demolishes illegal shrines in Mumbai, Shiv Sena wants policy to regularise them

Mumbai city news: Of the 482 illegal shrines in Mumbai, the BMC demolished 197 till June 27

While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is currently following the Bombay high court’s order to demolish 482 illegal shrines in the city, the Shiv Sena has demanded a policy to regularise such structures.

The corporation passed a notice of motion put up by house leader and corporator Yashwant Jadhav on Thursday. (HT File Photo)

The corporation passed a notice of motion put up by house leader and corporator Yashwant Jadhav on Thursday. It will now be sent to the municipal commissioner for his comments.

Jadhav’s proposal states that the demolition of such shrines hurts the sentiments of people across religious communities. “There are examples of illegal buildings being regularised in the city and the state,” he said.

Acting on a public interest litigation (PIL), the apex court had ordered the demolition of illegal shrines in 2011. Following this, the BMC published a list of illegal shrines, most of which are in public places.

Of the 482 illegal shrines in Mumbai, the BMC demolished 197 till June 27. The most illegal shrines are in the E ward of Byculla (55) followed by 52 in the G/North ward of Dadar.

Observing that rights to practise one’s religion cannot be allowed in any and every place, the Bombay High Court (HC) has set a November 2017 deadline for BMC to demolish all illegal structures.