Mumbai civic official shifted after Jain temple Demolition.
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has transferred Assistant Municipal Commissioner Navnath Ghadge, who was in charge of Mumbai’s K-east ward, following a controversy over the demolition of a Jain temple structure in the Vile Parle area. The transfer was confirmed on Saturday by Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and has taken effect immediately.
Cooperative Housing Society. The BMC claimed that the structure was unauthorised and had been built without the required civic approvals.
The demolition, however, sparked strong reactions from members of the Jain community as well as political leaders. Critics argued that the structure was removed in an insensitive manner and without proper communication with the trustees or community representatives.
A delegation of community members met with Mr. Ghadge and submitted a memorandum outlining their concerns and demands. The meeting reportedly lasted for two hours. According to Shah, the demolition was carried out without giving the temple trustees a chance to respond or present documentation. He also demanded that the officer responsible be suspended.
Although the BMC has not publicly stated the reason for Mr. Ghadge’s transfer, officials suggest it may have been intended to de-escalate tensions and address public concerns. The civic body has maintained that the temple was an unauthorized structure and its removal was in line with municipal regulations.
There has been no formal announcement of an inquiry into the incident, though the matter continues to draw public and political attention. The demolition of religious structures is often a sensitive issue, touching on legal, cultural, and community sentiments.
The Jain community has called for improved dialogue and transparency from civic authorities in handling such matters moving forward. No official statement has been released yet by the Chief Minister’s Office or the Urban Development Ministry.