Tension gripped Mumbai’s Bandra area on Thursday after authorities launched a large-scale demolition drive near the Bandra railway station, razing hundreds of slum dwellings and an old mosque. The operation, carried out by Western Railway with heavy police deployment, triggered clashes as residents gathered to protest the demolitions.
Videos circulating on social media showed bulldozers operating in densely populated areas while police attempted to disperse crowds. Some clips appeared to show personnel using lathis, adding to panic in the locality. Residents alleged that poor Muslim families and religious structures were being selectively targeted under the guise of an anti-encroachment drive. Authorities, however, denied any bias, stating that the action was part of a court-mandated exercise.
Railway officials said nearly 500 hutments near Bandra station had been identified as illegal encroachments on railway land. A mosque located within the settlement was also demolished during the drive, sparking outrage among locals. Tensions escalated as large numbers of residents tried to halt the demolition. Witnesses said emotions ran high after news spread about the mosque being brought down.
“We can rebuild homes somehow, but demolishing a place of worship causes deep pain in the community,” said Mohammad Aslam, a local resident. Police said some protesters attempted to obstruct the operation and allegedly pelted stones at security personnel. Force was then used to disperse the crowd.
Several people were reportedly injured in the lathi-charge, though officials did not provide exact figures. Authorities claimed that around 50–60 people had gathered at the site during the confrontation. Security was later tightened, with over 1,000 police personnel deployed in and around the area.
Local residents also alleged that police conducted searches in nearby settlements following the clashes. Some claimed officers visited homes, identified suspected protesters and detained individuals for questioning. “There is fear in the locality. People are worried about arrests and further police action,” said a resident who requested anonymity.
Advocate Yusuf Shaikh said, “Urban development cannot come at the cost of abruptly uprooting vulnerable families without rehabilitation and due process, especially when religious structures are involved.” The incident has also reignited debate over the increasing use of bulldozer actions in several BJP-ruled states, where opposition parties and rights groups have alleged selective targeting of minority neighbourhoods. The government has consistently rejected such claims, asserting that illegal encroachments are removed irrespective of religion.
“We are poor people. We don’t know where we will go now. Our children are terrified after seeing the police and bulldozers,” said Shabana Sheikh, whose home was damaged. The demolition has once again highlighted the complex tensions between urban development, housing rights and concerns among minority communities over alleged disproportionate state action.
