In the early hours of Monday, the demolition of the Mahboob-e-Subhaniya Mosque in Dharavi began, targeting the illegal portion of the structure. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) focused the razing efforts on a 20-foot minaret, which had been deemed illegal. To facilitate the dismantling, a green curtain was put up around the section, and wooden supports were used. Reports suggest that the mosque authorities peacefully carried out the process, adhering to the BMC’s orders.
Tensions Escalated After Initial Protest
The issue surrounding the mosque’s minaret escalated on September 21 when the mosque committee requested a week to remove the illegal portion themselves. However, tensions had already peaked earlier that day as thousands of residents from Dharavi took to the streets to oppose the BMC’s demolition plans. Protesters successfully prevented municipal officials from accessing the mosque’s lane, resulting in a standoff.
Protests quickly intensified, with large crowds gathering outside the Dharavi police station, obstructing roads in the process. To maintain order, police arrested three individuals on charges of obstructing government work, inciting riots, and damaging public property.
Provocative Social Media Posts Fueled Protests
Police reports indicate that social media posts from anonymous accounts played a significant role in stirring the protests. The provocative posts reportedly called for mass participation in the Dharavi demonstrations, drawing an estimated 5,000 people, many of whom came from outside the area.
During the protest, tensions flared when two BMC vans were vandalized, with bamboo sticks and stones used to shatter their front glass. The large crowd also caused major traffic disruptions, but Dharavi police and traffic police managed to control the situation by making loudspeaker announcements. Fortunately, the crowd complied, allowing buses and vehicles to pass and preventing further escalation.