Mumbai Musings

CEO for Mumbai? Er, No, Thanks

Legendary smuggler and gangster Haji Mastan is believed to have said that Mumbai was his “mehbooba” and that he was rather possessive about his muse. He is not alone. There are many who fiercely want to ensure that Mumbai stays theirs and many more, who want to do “justice” to the city that has been a giver of revenues and recipient of bad roads, garbage and pollution. The leader of the pack is the Shiv Sena of course. Reportedly, CM Devendra Fadnavis suggested that he is considering appointment of a CEO for Mumbai, to ensure better management and coordination. The CEO would be of additional chief secretary rank and would ensure smooth running of several agencies responsible for different work in the city. However, through its mouthpiece Saamna, the Sena reacted sharply saying there was no need for an additional CEO when the mayor could be entrusted with additional powers (like in London). The editorial said Sena does not support any plans to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra and will not allow it. At a time when BJP is yet to finalise its ally in the assembly, Fadnavis quickly said nothing was final and there was no need for a row. Phew. For now. 

Too Close for Comfort

Swearing in ceremony of CM Devendra Fadnavis, held at Wankhede Stadium, was in the news for many reasons. As it emerged later, one was a rather spooky one. A man called Anil Mishra, managed to get not only on the dais but also close to PM Narendra Modi. He was later seen clicking photographs with other dignitaries as well. The police reports say he followed Ravi Shankar Prasad’s entourage to gain access to the three-layered VVIP security area. He turns out to be a BJP activist and claims he had a valid pass which was taken by security. However, BJP officials themselves have filed a complaint and he was arrested. The incident came to notice when Mishra posted his pictures with all the leaders on social networking sites. He also managed to shake hands with Maharashtra’s new chief minister soon after he took oath. The police and the BJP leaders are trying to figure out whose fault it really was.

Will We Ever Know?

The election results were announced on October 19 and after much deliberation the BJP formed the government on October 31. The first day of Assembly is also done and new decisions are being made. However, the BJP remains 22 short of the golden 144 figure and is still in talks with the Sena and the NCP. Reports say that negotiations are still on over plum and important portfolios with the Sena. Uddhav Thackeray has done many turns and U-turns in the past two-three weeks and no one knows if what he says is final or not. The Sena MP Anil Desai was reportedly called back from the airport, when he was on his way for cabinet expansion in Delhi. However, the seniormost politician (and the newest kingmaker) Sharad Pawar is the one holding the all  important strings. After offering outside support to BJP, he practically rendered Sena useless and yet committed to nothing. During campaigning he had said Sena was not alone but in fact he isolated Sena like no one else. At a press conference held on Monday, he once again said his party wanted a stable government. Sena has also nominated a leader of opposition and is still in talks with BJP.  Strangely, some say that the Congress is starting to look good among all these kabhi haan kabhi na politicians. 

Shocking Facts

After the gruesome murder of the Dalit Jadhav family  in Ahmednagar district, Dalit Atyachar Virodhi Kruti Samiti, Mumbai sent a committee of 10 people to visit and meet the relevant people and prepare a fact-finding report which makes for horrific reading. Some excerpts:

“The said murders, which appear to be pre-planned, took place during the middle of the night. The attackers killed the entire family in the out-house. The murderers tried to hide the "bloody" evidence by putting soil and millet crop at the site of murder. Then the bodies were cut in pieces and wrapped in rugs and gunny sacks and thrown in a well near the Jadhav residence.

The Police took about two days (21st & 22nd October) to find the entire body (of Sunil Jadhav). The last rites were performed after all the body pieces were found.

Suresh Jadhav, brother of deceased Sanjay, informed the committee that their family has shared names of a few suspects with the Police. However, he regretted the fact that the Police has not arrested anyone.

Suresh Jadhav mentioned that since the suspect “Wagh” family is related to Shri Anil Karale (Deputy Chief, Nagar District) and Shrimati Monika Rajle, the Police is not taking any action against them. Due to political pressure, the police is not investigating the case properly and the culprits are not being arrested.

The deceased Sanjay’s father, Jagannath with tremendous disappointment shared with the fact-finding committee that if the Police does not book the criminals, he would have no other option but to immolate himself.

In the year 2013, there were 111 cases registered in this district and in this year, so far, till October about 74 cases have been registered. This includes the murder of three young sweeper community people in Sonai by cutting their bodies into pieces, Nitin Aage’s murder after torturing him. Thereafter, on 22nd June 2014, Aaba Kale a deaf and mute, tiller from Kashti village which falls under Dist. Shrigonda, was tortured by the relatives of Shri. Babanrao Pachpute on account of his alleged intercaste love affair. The village falls under constituency of Shri. Babanrao Pachpute.

In none of these incidents any of the criminals have been stringently punished. In fact with the support of Police & Politicians, these casteist criminals are getting stronger. This has resulted in more and more atrocities being inflicted upon Dalits.”

Passionate Protests

In the past few days two interesting protests were held in Mumbai thanks to IIT Bombay’s students and strong pedestrian rights groups. Nearly 300 students and some staff members of the prestigious IIT institute held “Kiss of Love” protest on the campus and were seen freely distributing hugs and kisses to each other. In support of the movement by the same name in Kochi that is against moral policing, the students and gay rights activists were seen talking to students and media. 

Another one was more of an event and not a protest but a hard fought battle anyway. The Equal Streets movement, led by the Times of India and supported by several residents associations and NGOs, created quite a stir in the city. It has been held in many other cities. Traffic was not allowed on a 6.5 km long loop stretch of the road from Bandra to Santacruz and pedestrians were not just allowed to walk but exercise, dance, play on the main roads of SV Road and Linking Road for a full four hours. And 15,000 people turned up to show their love for walking on safe roads. TOI reported, “As home-makers, grandparents and hassled working couples turned artists, dancers and athletes at the Equal Streets carnival, to be held every Sunday, the city showed it can put its most enthusiastic foot forward if there is space and opportunity.” Hard to believe but the plan is to hold it every Sunday.