Stay on demolition drive against shrines

Legislators and corporators across party lines protested against the civic body’s demolition drive against religious structures, on Wednesday.

Legislators and corporators across party lines protested against the civic body’s demolition drive against religious structures, on Wednesday.

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The drive was stayed by the state government after a delegation of corporators led by mayor Shraddha Jadhav met chief minister Prithviraj Chavan.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Ashish Shelar, Shiv Sena leader Sunil Prabhu and Congress MLA Rajhans Singh were a part of the delegation.

Jadhav told HT that Chavan assured them that the demolition would be stayed until the civic body formulated a new policy. Legislators also raised the issue in the state assembly saying that the civic authorities were misinterpreting the apex court’s ruling.

The policy has been put on hold till March 18.

“The CM suggested that religious structures that were obstacles for pedestrians or vehicles should be relocated,” said Jadhav, adding, “The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation should invite suggestion and objection from people and then frame the policy.”

The delegation also demanded that all structures up to December 2009 be regularised. "The Supreme Court's directive says that no such constructions should be allowed henceforth. The judgment also asks for a state policy on such constructions. It does not mention anything about existing structures,’’ said Congress legislator, Baba Siddique, who raised the issue in the assembly.

Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse said: “All illegal shrines since 1964 are being demolished. That is wrong.”

Dilip Walse-Patil, speaker of the assembly, directed the government to read the court judgment minutely and review its current orders, if required.

“Religious structures have a week to submit evidence to prove the shrine was built prior to April 17, 1964. The cut-off date has been finalised by the civic body,” said a senior civic official on condition of anonymity.