In a contentious claim that has raised political and social debates, Shiv Sena has accused certain Muslim real estate developers in Mumbai of engaging in what they describe as “housing jihad”. The accusations suggest that these developers, involved in various Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) projects, are manipulating the beneficiary lists by adding members of their community, potentially altering the demographics of the city.

The Shiv Sena, led by spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam, raised the alarm about the growing influence of Muslim developers in the slum rehabilitation sector, particularly in areas like Govandi, Mankhurd, Kurla, Saki Naka, and parts of Bandra. Nirupam alleges that there are over 600 ongoing SRA projects, of which 10% are handled by Muslim developers, and all of them are allegedly involved in these activities. He claims that the primary objective of these developers is to change the demographics of Mumbai on a large scale.

Nirupam also pointed out that in certain areas, such as Oshiwara, the population balance has been tipped in favor of the Muslim community. He mentioned that a Hindu-majority society in Oshiwara was allegedly converted into a Muslim-majority society due to the actions of a Muslim developer overseeing a housing project. According to Nirupam, one particular case saw a Muslim developer pass 19 structures under the name of a single individual, violating the SRA rules, which stipulate that an eligible family can only be allotted one home under the slum rehabilitation scheme.

The controversy surrounding these developments centers on allegations of fraudulent activities and fudging of records. Nirupam highlighted how electricity bills were altered to include ineligible beneficiaries, and there were also accusations that one of the tenants in an SRA project was an illegal Bangladeshi migrant residing in India. These claims, if proven true, could signal a major breach of regulations in the Slum Rehabilitation Authority program, which was initially designed to offer affordable housing to the urban poor in Mumbai.

The SRA, which is a state-run agency under the Maharashtra government, has a significant role in transforming slums into rehabilitated housing complexes. However, critics have raised concerns over the integrity of these projects, with some alleging that the objectives of slum rehabilitation may be getting sidelined due to these controversial practices.

In response to these grave allegations, Sanjay Nirupam has called for a thorough investigation into the matter. He has already written to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who also leads the housing department. Nirupam has urged the government to conduct an inquiry into the fraudulent activities allegedly happening under the SRA projects and to hold those responsible accountable. The Shiv Sena leader expressed concerns that the scale of these manipulations is large enough to influence the demographic landscape of the city, a claim that has sparked strong reactions from various political factions in Mumbai.

This controversy has also led to broader discussions about the role of real estate developers in shaping the urban environment in Mumbai, especially in the context of slum rehabilitation. While some critics argue that the activities of Muslim developers are politically motivated, others contend that the broader issue is one of lack of oversight and accountability in the SRA projects.

As this story unfolds, it is likely that further developments will shed light on the extent of the alleged manipulations and the potential impact on the demographic composition of Mumbai. With allegations of housing jihad now in the public eye, the future of slum rehabilitation in the city hangs in the balance, as both the Shiv Sena and other stakeholders push for transparency and accountability in the handling of these crucial housing projects.

The controversy is also igniting a heated debate about the political implications of such allegations. Shiv Sena, traditionally a strong player in Maharashtra's politics, faces the challenge of defending its credibility while balancing the demands of its constituents. Meanwhile, the opposition parties are sure to seize upon these accusations as a potential point of contention in the upcoming political scenarios.

Ultimately, the claims made by Sanjay Nirupam and Shiv Sena have brought to light a sensitive issue that touches on the intersection of religion, politics, and urban development. As Mumbai continues to grow and evolve, how these issues are addressed will likely shape the future of the city's slum rehabilitation projects and the ongoing efforts to provide affordable housing for its residents. The outcome of this investigation may have long-lasting implications not just for Mumbai but for the larger urban development landscape across India.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Nukleus Office, Shreenath Paper.

The Current active IPO are Beezaasan Explotech, Swasth Foodtech, HP Telecom India.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.

Join our Finance Saathi Telegram Channel for Regular Share Market, News & IPO Update.