Naya Nagar, a community largely dominated by Muslims and with origins of communal harmony, experienced communal tensions through out the week of consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya in January 2024.
On the night before the consecration (January 22), a rally with provocative slogans was carried out by Hindu groups in Naya Nagar. This led to violent clashes between the two groups. The clashes left 10 motorbikes and four vehicles damaged and 13 people were named and arrested in an [FIR filed by the police](https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/13-arrested-over-violence-in-naya-nagar-near-mumbai-ahead-of-ayodhya-consecration-ceremony/article67766656.ece#:~:text=Thirteen persons were arrested after,the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.).
A day after the violent clashes, Hindu groups carried out several rallies in Naya Nagar, leading to violent attacks on [vehicles and shops owned by Muslim communities](https://scroll.in/article/1062772/they-saw-a-muslim-name-and-attacked-how-hindutva-mobs-ran-amok-on-mira-road#:~:text=By evening%2C Hindutva supporters conducted,Kashimira%2C Navghar and Naya Nagar.).
After the clashes, on 23 January 2024, the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) conducted a demolition drive in the Naya Nagar area, demolishing 17 structures. The shopkeepers claim that the demolitions were done [targeting the Muslim community](https://scroll.in/article/1062772/they-saw-a-muslim-name-and-attacked-how-hindutva-mobs-ran-amok-on-mira-road#:~:text=By evening%2C Hindutva supporters conducted,Kashimira%2C Navghar and Naya Nagar.) and [without serving notices](https://scroll.in/article/1062772/they-saw-a-muslim-name-and-attacked-how-hindutva-mobs-ran-amok-on-mira-road#:~:text=By evening%2C Hindutva supporters conducted,Kashimira%2C Navghar and Naya Nagar.) as mandated by the law.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner Maruti Gaikwad of MBMC said that notices are not mandatory for demolish structures on footpaths, gutters or other places of civic bodies. Local activists claimed shop owners possessed legal documents and pointed out that while the [Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, 1949](https://lj.maharashtra.gov.in/Site/Upload/Acts/(02) The Mah. Municipal Corporation Act (H-4062).pdf) empowers the corporation to conduct demolition drives, it does require the commissioner to serve notices and provide time to produce proof for appeal against demolitions.
It is important to note that the demolitions were carried out a day after Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said on social media platform X that he had asked the police to “take strictest action against the culprits” for the violence on Sunday night.
The police picked up 15 more people on January 23. They are facing charges under Section 307 (attempt to murder).
On 21 March 2024, a writ petition was filed in the Bombay High Court seeking action against BJP MLAs Nitesh Rane, Geeta Jain (Maharashtra) and T Raja (Telangana) for allegedly delivering hate speeches and inciting the violence which erupted in January in Naya Nagar.
On 8 April 2024, the High Court asked the police to review the recordings and transcripts of the alleged hate speeches delivered by Rane, Jain, and Raja. Following which, the police registered criminal cases against BJP MLAs Nitesh Rane and Geeta Jain for alleged hate speeches. The FIRs invoked sections 153A (promoting enmity between groups on ground of religion etc.), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke) and 506 (criminal intimidation) and other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
On 23 April 2024, the High Court directed the State to file an affidavit by June 12 detailing the 13 cases that have been registered and steps taken. The HC will hear next on June 19 a petition filed by five residents including Aftab Siddiqui, Ashfak Shaikh and three others including two who alleged they are victims of violence.
Since the communal clashes and demolitions of shops, the Muslim community in the region fear arbitrary action targeting one community by the Municipal Corporation and state authorities.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand for compensation
Complaint against procedural violations
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Urban
Type of Land
Common
Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Commercial
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Source/Reference
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
Type of investment:
Year of Estimation
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
Yes
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Forced evictions/dispossession of land
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Pending
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Yes
Name of the adjudicatory body
Bombay High Court
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Bombay High Court
Case Number
WP-ST-6503 & 6586-2024
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Physical attack
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Yes
Reported Details of the Violation:
On the night before the consecration of Ram mandir in Ayodhya a rally was taken out with provocative slogans in the Naya Nagar, a Muslim-dominated neighbourhood in Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation. The rally was attacked by miscreants damaging four cars and 10 motorbikes. The day after this incident, several Hindu groups attacked motor vehicles and shops belonging to the Muslim communities. The police have arrested 19 people and charged them with attempt to murder and inciting violence amongst different groups.
Date of Violation
January 22, 2024
Location of Violation
Naya Nagar, Mira Bhayander
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation; Mira Bhayandar Police Department
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
Shubham is a housing rights activist based in Mumbai. He has a post graduate from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai in urban policy and governance.
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