Illegal religious event held at Ganesh Maidan, Chandivali, three weeks after police shut down unauthorized fun fair | File Photo
Mumbai: Less than three weeks after Mumbai Police shut down an illegal fun fair organised on Meenatai Thackeray Ground in Chandivali after The Free Press Journal’s report, an illegal religious gathering sprung up a few metres away in another park. While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had denied approval for the gathering, the ward officer expressed ignorance about the huge gathering.
On May 2, The Free Press Journal had reported about an illegal fun fair being organised at Meenatai Thackeray ground in Chandivali’s MHADA Colony by local Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Prashant Maurya and Prajakta Sane Maurya even after BMC had denied permission. Following the report, Mumbai Police shut down the illegal fair on May 3.
Illegal religious event held at Ganesh Maidan, Chandivali, three weeks after police shut down unauthorized fun fair | File Photo
Less than three weeks from that incident, a religious gathering has illegally come up in the Ganesh Maidan, which is a few metres away from Meenatai Thackeray ground. The ground has been occupied for a ‘Bhagwat Parayan’ organised jointly by a spiritual group and a non-governmental organisation from May 18 to 25. Banners welcoming the devotees to the event have also been pulled up in the neighbourhood.
The Free Press Journal contacted Dhanaji Herlekar, assistant municipal commissioner of L Ward, who claimed to be ignorant about the issue citing that he is on leave. However, the ward office had denied an approval to the organisers on May 16 citing that the Slum Rehabilitation Authority is undertaking maintenance work at the ground.
Notably, a 2013 BMC circular mandates that play grounds should be exclusively reserved for children’s playing during summer vacation from April 15 to June 15.
Two residents had filed online complaints with the BMC a day before the event started, which have been accessed by The Free Press Journal. They alleged that the civic body did not take any action against the organisers and unofficially allowed it to start.
“It is surprising to see how people are repeatedly violating the rules and illegally occupying public parks to organise events for political exposure and all this while BMC is in a deep sleep,” said a complainant, adding that the organisers are also evading the fees required to be paid for engaging the grounds.
Citizens’ Association Alleges Corruption In Playground Beautification Works
Chandivali Citizens’ Welfare Association (CCWA) has alleged corruption in the beautification work of five gardens and playgrounds worth Rs3.85 crore. In a post on X, it said that while three of the five grounds are in Chandivali, they “have not seen any beautification worth crores being done in these grounds.” It urged BMC’s Vigilance Department and Maharashtra anti-corruption bureau to investigate the spending.
