Slums in Jogeshwari, Mumbai.
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: In a serious charge, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena alleged “housing jihad” in two slum redevelopment projects in Mumbai.
Shiv Sena deputy leader and spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam, a former MP, said that builders have conspired to give houses belonging to Hindus to Muslims in two slum redevelopment projects in Jogeshwari in the western suburbs of Mumbai with a larger aim to alter the demographic composition of the financial capital of India.
Nirupam further stated that in the first project in Jogeshwari-Oshiwara, there were originally 44 houses, which increased to 95 after redevelopment.
All 51 of the newly added houses are allegedly being allotted to Muslims, he said and claimed that 30 of these houses have been allotted in the names of the two sons of a builder.
“As a result of Muslims purchasing houses previously owned by Hindus, the entire locality has now become Muslim-majority,” Nirupam alleged.
Nirupam said in the second project there were 67 houses originally, with only six Muslim families.
“But after redevelopment, the number of houses rose to 123, and the additional units have allegedly been sold to Muslims,” he said.
Nirupam claimed that the land previously housed a Ganesh temple and space for a Devi mandap, which have now been removed, and a madrasa is seen in their place.
Although the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has conducted an investigation into this serious matter, Nirupam demanded a deeper inquiry into what he called “housing jihad”.