Former BJP MP Gopal Shetty has tonsured his head in protest against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) demolition of 27 houses in Borivali East, accusing the civic body of acting in haste and failing to give residents adequate time to retrieve their belongings.
Describing the demolition drive conducted on November 4 as a “mockery of democracy”, Shetty also criticised the local BJP leadership for allegedly failing to support the affected families.
The BMC demolished 27 houses built on a 3,400-square-metre plot reserved for a BEST bus station on Swami Vivekanand Road in Borivali East. The action followed the Supreme Court’s criticism of the civic body for failing to remove encroachments despite earlier directions.
Shetty tonsures head to protest demolition
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Shetty said he had tonsured his head to express solidarity with the families whose houses were demolished.
He alleged that residents were not given sufficient time to remove their household belongings before the civic body carried out the demolition.
“I have never seen such action in my public life. Even a person like (26/11 terror attack) Ajmal Kasab was given eight years to face trial and an opportunity to approach the President after his conviction,” he said.
Shetty claimed that residents received notices at around 1.30 am on November 4 and that their houses were demolished by 7 am, leaving them little time to retrieve their possessions.
Questions BMC’s submissions before Supreme Court
The former MP also questioned how the BMC presented the matter before the Supreme Court. He alleged that the civic body failed to submit copies of notices issued to the occupants and their replies, despite the court seeking the relevant documents.
Shetty claimed that the affected families had occupied the land for nearly 50 years and possessed property assessment bills. He described the plot as private land and alleged that incorrect information had been presented before the court.
He urged the judiciary to examine the conduct of officials involved in the matter.
Supreme Court had pulled up civic body
The demolition was carried out after the Supreme Court criticised the BMC for failing to remove the structures despite earlier directions.
The court had also ordered a freeze on the November salaries of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide and the officials concerned, besides initiating contempt proceedings.
The salary-related direction and contempt notice were subsequently withdrawn after the BMC informed the court that the structures had been removed.
Following the controversy, the civic body issued show-cause notices to R-Central ward assistant municipal commissioner Praful Tambe and law officer Komal Punjabi over alleged administrative lapses. It also reassigned charge of its law department.
Shetty expresses displeasure with BJP leadership
Apart from criticising the civic administration, Shetty publicly expressed dissatisfaction with the BJP’s local leadership, alleging that party leaders from north Mumbai had neither visited the affected families nor supported him during the agitation.
“I am definitely upset with my party. I will not hide it. I have worked day and night to build the party, and if some people now consider themselves its owners, that is not right,” he said.
Former MP to stay away from party programmes
Shetty announced that he would stay away from political programmes organised by the BJP, including the Mumbai unit’s annual Diwali gathering. However, he said he would continue attending social events.
He also said he planned to raise the issue with the BJP’s central leadership in Delhi.
(With inputs from PTI)
