ANGER ERUPTS IN MUMBAI AFTER MOSQUE DEMOLITION; POLICE LATHI-CHARGE PROTESTERS

Thu 21 May 2026:

What began as a demolition drive in Bandra East, Mumbai, turned tense when Western Railway razed a mosque and surrounding buildings, claiming the land was illegally occupied.

Carried out on May 19 in the Gareeb Nagar slum following a Bombay High Court directive, the operation cleared roughly 500 unauthorized huts adjacent to Bandra railway station’s eastern side.

Vineet Abhishek, chief PRO of Western Railway, said almost 60 per cent of illegal structures have been removed so far.

More than 1,000 personnel were deployed at the site, including around 400 personnel of the city police besides those belonging to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP).

According to several reports, trouble began on Wednesday, May 20, when a three-storey mosque was targeted. Officials claimed it encroached the railway land and pulled it down, along with several other surrounding structures.

Soon, a large number of Muslims gathered at the site, protesting the action. They alleged that no prior notice or intimidation was given.

The revolt soon turned into anger when the Mumbai police began lathi-charging at the demonstrators, including women. Nirmal Nagar Police Inspector Ramesh Wagh claimed the action was in response to stone pelting by locals. “We have arrested 15 people so far,” the officer told media.

Anger erupts in Mumbai after Mosque demolition; police lathi-charge protesters

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— INDEPENDENT PRESS (@IpIndependent) May 21, 2026

However, several videos have come forward on the internet where not even senior citizens are spared. One elderly woman was hit on the head by a police officer, drawing criticism over the apparent lack of empathy.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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