After Thane scuffle, BMC withdraws permission for Bakrid in 2 Mumbai societies
The BMC withdrew permission for Bakrid goat slaughter in two Mumbai housing societies after residents protested and BJP leaders intervened. The move followed tensions in Thane and left some residents scrambling for alternative arrangements.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday cancelled permission to slaughter goats in two of the residential complexes in Mumbai, following a major protest by the residents and political interventions by the BJP leaders. Earlier, tension gripped Dindoshi’s Azad Nagar Apartment and Ghatkopar’s Sagar Park society after a similar standoff was witnessed in Thane’s Poonam Cluster Housing complex on Tuesday over housing 40–50 goats and tying them up for Bakrid sacrifices.
In Dindoshi, the residents started protesting during the early hours of Wednesday after a temporary goat shed was erected by Muslim neighbours. The tension escalated further when local BJP corporator Priti Satam stepped in after receiving a few complaints, and said that the shed had to be taken down.
Following the turmoil, BMC soon issued a new notification asking the residents to remove the shed. It was further mentioned that the residents could sacrifice the goats in a nearby mutton shop instead of the premises.
The decision has frustrated Sameer, a resident of society. Speaking to India Today, he said, “We have been organising Bakra Eid here for the last 20–25 years, but for the last couple of years, we have been facing this problem that, despite having all the legal permissions in place, everything our Corporator Priti Satam gets cancelled. We follow all rules and regulations, but still, she gets our permissions cancelled without any reason.”
As the BMC cancelled the permission, some other residents also said that the BMC officials had earlier inspected the place and given the nod to sacrifice the goats on the day of Eid al-Adha. However, as the permission is cancelled at the eleventh hour, they now have to find a new place, and that would be a bit difficult as all the slaughterhouses are booked already.
PERMISSION CANCELLED AT GHATKAPOR HOUSING SOCIETY
Meanwhile, a similar story was witnessed in Ghatkapor’s Sagar Park society, where BJP leader Kirit Somaiya arrived after some of the residents protested against the possible slaughtering of goats.
The residents, most of whom are Hindus and Jains, mentioned that they are vegetarians and slaughtering creates massive health hazards for them. Some of them reached out to BJP leaders and other Hindu outfits, after which Somaiya and his followers arrived at the society, chanting Har Har Mahadev and Jai Shree Ram slogans.
Talking about the incident, the BJP MP said,“ Action will be taken against those who do dharmik mafiagiri, and religion should not be used to inconvenience others. I have told the Municipal Commissioner and other officers in clear terms that if even one goat is slaughtered inside a residential society, then the BMC will be held responsible for it."
He also questioned how the goats came inside the apartment premises.
As the protests mounted, BMC later withdrew the permission.
WHAT HAPPENED IN MIRA ROAD ON WEDNESDAY?
A dispute erupted in Thane yesterday when Muslim residents brought 40 to 50 goats into a residential complex for the upcoming Bakri-Eid festival. Citing housing society rules, hygiene issues, and court mandates on designated slaughter areas, other residents protested the move. Although the temporary goat shed was quickly dismantled, the animals remained on-site, keeping tensions high.
The situation escalated into violence around midnight when members of right-wing groups, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, joined the protesting residents outside the society gates.
According to the police, a heated argument broke out after an individual approached the gathering, quickly spiralling into a physical scuffle. The man allegedly drew a sharp weapon, injuring three people—including local VHP functionary Nagnath Kamble—before the crowd subdued him and handed him over to the police.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday cancelled permission to slaughter goats in two of the residential complexes in Mumbai, following a major protest by the residents and political interventions by the BJP leaders. Earlier, tension gripped Dindoshi’s Azad Nagar Apartment and Ghatkopar’s Sagar Park society after a similar standoff was witnessed in Thane’s Poonam Cluster Housing complex on Tuesday over housing 40–50 goats and tying them up for Bakrid sacrifices.
In Dindoshi, the residents started protesting during the early hours of Wednesday after a temporary goat shed was erected by Muslim neighbours. The tension escalated further when local BJP corporator Priti Satam stepped in after receiving a few complaints, and said that the shed had to be taken down.
Following the turmoil, BMC soon issued a new notification asking the residents to remove the shed. It was further mentioned that the residents could sacrifice the goats in a nearby mutton shop instead of the premises.
The decision has frustrated Sameer, a resident of society. Speaking to India Today, he said, “We have been organising Bakra Eid here for the last 20–25 years, but for the last couple of years, we have been facing this problem that, despite having all the legal permissions in place, everything our Corporator Priti Satam gets cancelled. We follow all rules and regulations, but still, she gets our permissions cancelled without any reason.”
As the BMC cancelled the permission, some other residents also said that the BMC officials had earlier inspected the place and given the nod to sacrifice the goats on the day of Eid al-Adha. However, as the permission is cancelled at the eleventh hour, they now have to find a new place, and that would be a bit difficult as all the slaughterhouses are booked already.
PERMISSION CANCELLED AT GHATKAPOR HOUSING SOCIETY
Meanwhile, a similar story was witnessed in Ghatkapor’s Sagar Park society, where BJP leader Kirit Somaiya arrived after some of the residents protested against the possible slaughtering of goats.
The residents, most of whom are Hindus and Jains, mentioned that they are vegetarians and slaughtering creates massive health hazards for them. Some of them reached out to BJP leaders and other Hindu outfits, after which Somaiya and his followers arrived at the society, chanting Har Har Mahadev and Jai Shree Ram slogans.
Talking about the incident, the BJP MP said,“ Action will be taken against those who do dharmik mafiagiri, and religion should not be used to inconvenience others. I have told the Municipal Commissioner and other officers in clear terms that if even one goat is slaughtered inside a residential society, then the BMC will be held responsible for it."
He also questioned how the goats came inside the apartment premises.
As the protests mounted, BMC later withdrew the permission.
WHAT HAPPENED IN MIRA ROAD ON WEDNESDAY?
A dispute erupted in Thane yesterday when Muslim residents brought 40 to 50 goats into a residential complex for the upcoming Bakri-Eid festival. Citing housing society rules, hygiene issues, and court mandates on designated slaughter areas, other residents protested the move. Although the temporary goat shed was quickly dismantled, the animals remained on-site, keeping tensions high.
The situation escalated into violence around midnight when members of right-wing groups, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, joined the protesting residents outside the society gates.
According to the police, a heated argument broke out after an individual approached the gathering, quickly spiralling into a physical scuffle. The man allegedly drew a sharp weapon, injuring three people—including local VHP functionary Nagnath Kamble—before the crowd subdued him and handed him over to the police.
