• Source:JND
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Mumbai Jain Temple Protest: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) transferred its K East ward officer, Navnath Ghadge, on Saturday, following public outcry over the partial demolition of an illegal Jain temple in Vile Parle on April 16. The responsibility for the ward has now been handed to Swapnaja Kshirsagar, the H East ward officer.

Protests erupted in Vile Parle after the BMC demolished a section of the 28-year-old temple, which is managed by the Shree 1008 Digambar Jain Mandir Trust. Temple officials claimed that a nearby hotel was behind the civic action, suggesting it was motivated by the hotel’s expansion plans. The hotel manager, however, chose not to comment on these allegations.

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On Saturday, members of the Jain community held a silent protest against the BMC’s demolition at the temple located within the Neminath Co-operative Housing Society. The assistant commissioner, Navnath Ghadge Patil, who oversaw the demolition, was transferred shortly after the protests began. Civic chief Bhushan Gagrani confirmed the transfer but did not provide specific reasons. MLA Parag Alavani, who participated in the protests, hinted that Ghadge’s transfer was linked to the demolition operations.

Ghadge Patil defended the actions taken by the BMC, stating, “We acted in accordance with the court’s directions and followed all legal procedures.”

The temple, established in 1962, had been the focus of contention. Mumbai's guardian minister, M P Lodha, called for action against the BMC official, arguing that the temple did not pose any obstruction and that the demolition was executed excessively quickly. “I supported the temple authorities and visited the site,” he told cited by a Times Of India report.

The Hindustan Times report cited Protestor Mayur Jain as expressing the community’s anger, recounting how the demolition commenced while prayers were ongoing. “On April 15, the BMC posted a notice about the impending action, but they have done this before without any follow-up. They forcibly removed us without giving us time to secure the idols,” he said. Jain also noted that the temple trustees secured a stay order from the Bombay High Court on the same day as the demolition, but it came too late to prevent the destruction.

Although officials ceased the demolition after being informed of the court order, Jain remarked that only a wall remained standing by the end of the day.

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In the wake of these events, Swapnaja Kshirsagar has been appointed to oversee the K East ward. “I will review the demolition matter and ensure all actions are within legal boundaries,” Kshirsagar stated.

As of Saturday evening, BMC workers were still clearing debris while members of the Jain community set up a canopy to restore their idols, allowing prayers to continue. The protest rally saw significant turnout, with over 15,000 Jains participating. Notable figures, including Sadhu Maharaj and MLA Parag Alavani, addressed the crowd as leaders submitted a memorandum at the ward office.