Jain temple demolition: BMC transfers ward officer as community protests
Mumbai, Apr 19 (PTI): The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday transferred an assistant municipal commissioner after the demolition of a Jain temple in Vile Parle area of the city sparked a controversy.
Members of the Jain community took out a protest march over the issue earlier in the day.
Navnath Ghadge, who was in charge of the K-east ward, has been transferred with immediate effect, municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani told PTI.
A team of K-east ward on April 16 demolished a Jain temple or 'chaitalaya' located inside Neminath Cooperative Housing Society, claiming it to be an unauthorised structure.
A protest march was taken to the ward office on Saturday. Paresh Shah of the Maharashtra Gaushala Sangh claimed that more 20,000 people including religious leaders and Maharashtra minister Mangal Prasad Lodha, local BJP MLA Parag Alavani and a few other political leaders participated in the march.
A delegation of protesters submitted a memorandum of demands and had a two-hour-long meeting with Ghadge, he said.
"The entire Jain community is anguished by the BMC's action," said Shah, demanding that the civic body suspend the officer. The temple was demolished without giving the trustees time to respond, he claimed.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and city MLA Aaditya Thackeray said the BMC was being fully and directly controlled by the Chief Minister's Office and Urban Development Minister's office, suggesting that they were to blame for the incident.
The Urban Development department is headed by deputy CM Eknath Shinde who heads the rival Shiv Sena.
"Who was guardian minister (Lodha) protesting against? What he is doing is drama instead of saving the Derasar (temple) using his powers as guardian minister!
"He has an illegal office in the BMC itself, and has a huge experience of real estate and such cases. Instead of protecting the Derasar, now he is doing the drama of a protest. I hope everyone realises - the BJP belongs to nobody. It is the BJP govt that is running the BMC through the CM's office," Thackeray alleged.
MP and Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad, who participated in the protest march, claimed BMC officials demolished the temple without waiting for the court's ruling.
The idols of Jain Tirthankars and religious texts were also "insulted" during the action, she alleged, blaming the "bulldozer government of the BJP alliance" responsible for the "conspiracy."
She spoke to commissioner Gagrani who assured that a new temple will be built at the same place, she said.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar accused the BJP government of "targeting the minorities". "It is wrong to demolish a structure without giving a proper notice. Action should be taken against the officials involved in this, " he said.
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Kerala reports 182 Covid cases in May, says Health Minister Veena George
Thiruvananthapuram, May 21 (PTI): As many as 182 Covid-19 cases have been reported in Kerala in May so far, state Health Minister Veena George said on Wednesday.
The highest number of cases was reported in Kottayam district (57), while 34 and 30 cases were reported in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram, respectively, during the period, she said after chairing a meeting of the state-level Rapid Response Team (RRT) here.
George urged people to be vigilant, as there is a possibility of an increase in Covid cases in Kerala as well, as large numbers of the infection are being reported in Southeast Asian countries.
The Omicron JN.1 variants, LF.7 and NB 1.8, which are spreading in these countries, have a higher potential for disease transmission, but the severity is not that high, she noted in a statement.
Stressing the significance of self-protection, the minister said those with symptoms such as a cold, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath must wear a mask.
It is advisable for the elderly, pregnant women, and those with serious illnesses to wear masks in public places and while travelling, she said, adding that masks are mandatory while visiting hospitals.
Health workers must also wear masks, George said.
Instructions have been issued to conduct Covid tests for those coming to hospitals with symptoms in the state. Directions have also been issued to ensure RTPCR kits and other safety equipment are there, the statement further said.
George also urged people to be cautious against dengue, rat fever and waterborne diseases in view of the impending rainy season.
Besides the health minister, health secretary, national health mission (NHM)'s state mission director and health director were present during the RRT meeting, the statement added.
