After Thane, goat sheds in several Mumbai housing societies spark major row
On Thursday, unrest brewed in the Marigold Co-Operative Housing Society in Dindoshi and the Sagar Park housing society in Ghatkopar West over the erection of several temporary goat sheds ahead of the Eid al-Adha.
Tensions flared across multiple housing societies in Mumbai over the setup of temporary goat sheds, closely following a major standoff on the same issue in Thane’s Mira Road area.
On Wednesday, unrest brewed at the Marigold Co-Operative Housing Society in Mumbai’s Dindoshi locality, where residents staged a protest against a temporary goat shed erected on the premises by the Muslim neighbours. The situation escalated rapidly, ultimately requiring the intervention of local BJP corporator Priti Satam.
Satam, who rushed to the society after several residents complained about the situation, highlighted the need to maintain health and hygiene as the utmost priority.
She clarified that they were not opposing any religious rituals, but rather the location of the event. She emphasised that sacrifices must be conducted in the municipality-certified slaughterhouses rather than open, high-footfall areas. "We will not let the sacrifice happen openly inside the premises," Satam said, noting that the housing society sits directly adjacent to a school.
The corporator also pointed out that the open sacrifice creates both hygiene issues and practical problems, while hurting the religious sentiments of residents. This stance was echoed by a section of the apartment's community, who emphasised that because 99% of the residents are vegetarian, the ritual should not take place on the premises.
Meanwhile, goat shed caretaker Sameer defended the setup, stating they had obtained proper permission from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and had done nothing illegal.
He accused Satam of deliberately manufacturing a crisis, pointing out that she has repeatedly disrupted their plans in recent years. "We have been celebrating Bakri-Eid here for the last 20 to 25 years," Sameer said. "However, in the last few years, Priti Satam has been creating problems by cancelling permission at the eleventh hour. Last year, we couldn't do anything here and had to conduct the sacrifices somewhere else." He added that nearly 40 Muslim residents of the apartment had pooled funds to purchase the goats.
NO RELIGIOUS MAFIAGIRI ALLOWED, SAID BJP LEADER KIRIT SOMAIYAA
In a separate incident, BJP leader and former member of the Lok Sabha, Kirit Somaiya, rushed to the Sagar Park housing society in Ghatkopar West, where a few people allegedly wanted to perform an Eid goat sacrifice inside the complex.
Arriving at the complex, the BJP leader said, "Action will be taken if someone attempts to indulge in such religious 'mafiagiri'. Eid sacrifice should be done, but only at places designated for it by the BMC. How were goats even brought inside the housing complex?"
Adding further, he mentioned, "This was an attempt to intimidate Hindus, and it will not be tolerated. There were 31 goats, out of which 23 have been removed. The BMC is currently removing the remaining ones. This kind of mindset will not work here. The BMC is accountable, and its officials must be held responsible."
He also pointed fingers at the BMC for not taking appropriate action over an incident like this.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THANE ON TUESDAY?
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.
Tensions flared across multiple housing societies in Mumbai over the setup of temporary goat sheds, closely following a major standoff on the same issue in Thane’s Mira Road area.
On Wednesday, unrest brewed at the Marigold Co-Operative Housing Society in Mumbai’s Dindoshi locality, where residents staged a protest against a temporary goat shed erected on the premises by the Muslim neighbours. The situation escalated rapidly, ultimately requiring the intervention of local BJP corporator Priti Satam.
Satam, who rushed to the society after several residents complained about the situation, highlighted the need to maintain health and hygiene as the utmost priority.
She clarified that they were not opposing any religious rituals, but rather the location of the event. She emphasised that sacrifices must be conducted in the municipality-certified slaughterhouses rather than open, high-footfall areas. "We will not let the sacrifice happen openly inside the premises," Satam said, noting that the housing society sits directly adjacent to a school.
The corporator also pointed out that the open sacrifice creates both hygiene issues and practical problems, while hurting the religious sentiments of residents. This stance was echoed by a section of the apartment's community, who emphasised that because 99% of the residents are vegetarian, the ritual should not take place on the premises.
Meanwhile, goat shed caretaker Sameer defended the setup, stating they had obtained proper permission from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and had done nothing illegal.
He accused Satam of deliberately manufacturing a crisis, pointing out that she has repeatedly disrupted their plans in recent years. "We have been celebrating Bakri-Eid here for the last 20 to 25 years," Sameer said. "However, in the last few years, Priti Satam has been creating problems by cancelling permission at the eleventh hour. Last year, we couldn't do anything here and had to conduct the sacrifices somewhere else." He added that nearly 40 Muslim residents of the apartment had pooled funds to purchase the goats.
NO RELIGIOUS MAFIAGIRI ALLOWED, SAID BJP LEADER KIRIT SOMAIYAA
In a separate incident, BJP leader and former member of the Lok Sabha, Kirit Somaiya, rushed to the Sagar Park housing society in Ghatkopar West, where a few people allegedly wanted to perform an Eid goat sacrifice inside the complex.
Arriving at the complex, the BJP leader said, "Action will be taken if someone attempts to indulge in such religious 'mafiagiri'. Eid sacrifice should be done, but only at places designated for it by the BMC. How were goats even brought inside the housing complex?"
Adding further, he mentioned, "This was an attempt to intimidate Hindus, and it will not be tolerated. There were 31 goats, out of which 23 have been removed. The BMC is currently removing the remaining ones. This kind of mindset will not work here. The BMC is accountable, and its officials must be held responsible."
He also pointed fingers at the BMC for not taking appropriate action over an incident like this.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THANE ON TUESDAY?
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.
