A storm of protests erupted in Mumbai as the Jain community took to the streets to condemn the demolition of a revered Digambar Jain temple in Vile Parle by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The temple, which was reportedly in existence since the 1960s and housed within the Neminath Cooperative Housing Society in Kambliwadi, was razed by civic authorities on April 16, allegedly without sufficient notice or sensitivity. The incident has sparked a city-wide debate over religious freedom, civic responsibility, and due process.
Hundreds of Jain devotees, spiritual leaders, and supporters from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad gathered for a peaceful protest march that began in Vile Parle around 9:30 AM and proceeded to the BMC K/East ward office in Andheri East. Protestors demanded strict disciplinary action against the officials involved—particularly targeting Vanath Ghadge, the ward officer overseeing the demolition. The community has urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to suspend the concerned BMC personnel and initiate a probe into the circumstances surrounding the demolition.
Anil Shah, a trustee of the demolished Jain temple, expressed anguish over the manner in which the demolition was carried out. He stated that the temple had previously undergone renovation with due permission from the BMC, and a proposal for regularization had already been submitted in accordance with government guidelines. Shah also claimed that sacred scriptures, religious artifacts, and idols were desecrated during the demolition, and that the civic staff did not allow time to safely remove these items before the structure was brought down.
Adding fuel to the fire, Shah alleged that the demolition was influenced by a local hotelier with vested interests in the land, casting doubts over the impartiality of the action. While the BMC insists that the demolition was executed as per a court order, the community argues that the process lacked transparency, cultural consideration, and respect for religious sentiments.
Videos and eyewitness reports from the demolition site show religious items being mishandled and thrown onto the street. Religious leaders reportedly requested BMC authorities to delay the operation until sacred materials could be removed, but their pleas went unanswered. The community believes this oversight reflects deeper issues in how religious structures are handled by civic bodies in urban India.
In a partial relief for the Jain community, the Bombay High Court has placed a temporary stay on further demolition activities at the site. However, protestors maintain that the emotional and spiritual damage has already been done. They are now demanding that the temple be rebuilt at the original site as a symbolic gesture of justice and restitution.
The incident has stirred a wider conversation around religious rights, with activists and citizens questioning whether civic procedures are being enforced uniformly and respectfully across communities. Legal experts have also pointed out that demolitions involving religious places require more sensitivity and should adhere to both constitutional safeguards and human values.
As public anger grows and pressure mounts on the government, the Jain community is clear about its demands: suspension of responsible officials, an impartial investigation, and the complete reconstruction of the demolished temple. The coming days will be crucial as both the court and the government are expected to take decisive action on the issue.
Stay tuned newsdailyupdates for more updates.
Also Read
Kesari Chapter 2 Box Office Storm: Akshay Kumar’s Courtroom Drama Crosses ₹3 Crore in Advance Bookings
Google Suspends 2.9M Ad Accounts in India Over Fraud, Misuse, and Policy Violations
Zaheer Khan and Sagarika Ghatge Welcome Baby Boy – Meet Their Little Prince, Fatehsinh Khan
