Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for `reintroducing` the Mumbai 24/7 policy, which he said was originally planned by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in January 2020.
In a post on social media platform X, Aaditya Thackeray wrote that it was “ironic and amusing” that the BJP, which once strongly opposed the policy, has now issued a new ordinance to revive it.
“The same BJP that had slammed my `Mumbai 24/7` policy, citing culture and safety concerns, has now brought back the very same policy,” he wrote.
Aaditya Thackeray questioned why the BJP opposed the move when it was first introduced, and what has now led them to change their stance.
“Even back then, I had asked them — and I ask again — what exactly is the problem in allowing hard-working Mumbaikars the chance to eat, relax and enjoy themselves late at night? Mumbai is the city of workers. It never sleeps,” he wrote.
The ‘Mumbai 24/7’ policy was introduced in January 2020, allowing malls, shops, restaurants, and other establishments in non-residential areas to operate round the clock. However, it faced resistance from BJP leaders at the time, who raised concerns about safety and public order, Aaditya Thackeray stated.
Aaditya Thackeray asked, “What made the BJP change its mind now?”
हे मजेशीर आहे, ज्या भाजपने माझ्या `मुंबई 24/7` धोरणावर संस्कृती आणि सुरक्षिततेच्या कारणावरून पातळी सोडून टीका केली होती, त्याच भाजपने आता त्याच धोरणाचा अध्यादेश पुन्हा काढला आहे.
त्यावेळी मी त्यांना विचारलं होतं आणि आजही पुन्हा तेच विचारतोय, कष्टकरी मुंबईकरांना रात्री…
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) October 3, 2025
The Maharashtra government had earlier announced that it allowed shops and commercial establishments, including residential hotels, restaurants, eateries, theatres, places of public amusement or entertainment, to remain open all 24 hours a day across the state.
The state issued a Government Resolution (GR) allowing shops and commercial establishments in the state to remain open 24 hours was issued on October 1. However, this does not apply to businesses involved in the sale or service of alcohol, such as wine shops, beer bars, dance bars, discotheques, hookah parlours, and permit rooms, which must continue to follow restricted operating hours. The GR was
According to the GR, while businesses can operate round the clock, they must ensure that every employee is given a continuous rest period of at least 24 hours in a week. Enforcement of these rules will be the responsibility of local administrations and police departments.
