After Thane, Mumbai housing society goat shed sparks row; BJP corporator steps in

Tensions flared in Mumbai’s Dindoshi area after a temporary goat shed was erected inside the Marigold Co-Operative Housing Society on the eve of Eid al-Adha. Mirroring a violent controversy that erupted in Mira Road just a day prior, the incident sparked an immediate row among residents, prompting local corporator Priti Satam to intervene.

Sanam, who rushed to the society after several residents complained over the possibility of sacrifices being held inside the premises, highlighted the need to maintain health and hygiene as an utmost priority.

Surrounded by a group of residents, Satam clarified that they were not opposing any religious rituals, but rather the location of the event. She emphasised that sacrifices must be conducted in BMC-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.

Satam 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 BMC permission and 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.

A day before, a dispute over the construction of a shed and the tying of sacrificial goats ahead of Bakrid triggered tensions at a housing society in Maharashtra’s Thane district, leaving at least three people injured.

The dispute erupted when Muslim residents brought 40 to 50 goats into the 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 to appease neighbours, the animals remained on-site, keeping tensions high.

The situation escalated into violence around midnight when members of right-wing groups, including the 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.