July 9, 2025: A high-level committee led by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner will investigate unauthorised religious structures across Mumbai and submit a report to the Maharashtra state government every three months. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Industries Minister Uday Samant during a discussion in the state assembly.
The committee will include the Mumbai Police Commissioner as well as the collectors of both the city and suburban districts. Its formation follows concerns raised by BJP MLA Yogesh Sagar, who alleged that a significant number of religious structures belonging to the minority community had been extended illegally.
Responding to the claims, Minister Samant said the panel would examine all such cases in a structured and periodic manner. “This issue needs careful scrutiny, and action will be taken based on the committee’s findings,” he said.
The discussion, however, sparked political reactions across party lines. Congress MLA Jyoti Gaikwad stated she had not received any complaints of this nature in her constituency. “If any such issues arise, I will attempt to resolve them through dialogue and community engagement,” she noted.
Congress MLA Amin Patel questioned the selective focus, saying, “Why should one community be singled out? Action should be taken against all unauthorised religious structures, regardless of affiliation.”
Samajwadi Party MLA Rais Shaikh added that the Bombay High Court had already addressed the matter. “The court submitted a list of unauthorised religious structures long ago, but the BMC has yet to act. This inaction has allowed these sites to become flashpoints,” he observed.
The committee’s formation marks a renewed effort by the government to address the long-standing and often contentious issue of unauthorised places of worship in the city, amid ongoing concerns about legality, encroachment, and communal sensitivities.
Source: Times Of India
