Municipal corporation notice to Shiv Sena to dismantle structure

Bal Thackeray's memorial at Shivaji Park

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sent a notice to the Shiv Sena asking it to dismantle the temporary structure built at the sprawling Shivaji Park, where party founder Bal Thackeray's cremation took place.

Incidentally, the Shiv Sena is heading a ruling alliance in the 227-member BMC.

The BMC administration has denied permission for a Bal Thackeray memorial at the Shivaji Park. The corporation had served a notice on Monday night to Mayor Sunil Prabhu, of the Shiv Sena, and party MP and spokesman Sanjay Raut.

The administration’s move comes at a time when the Shiv Sena has, so far, declined to remove the structure. Raut had recently said the cremation site was similar to that of Ayodhya. Raut also said the sanctity of the place should be maintained, and it (the structure) was like a temple for Shiv Sainiks and hence it won't be removed. He had also asked the government and the court not to intervene in the issue.

A BMC official said permission to use the ground was given only for the cremation, and it should be restored to its original status as it was a reserved plot as per the city’s development plan. “The purpose for which the site was allotted (for Thackeray's cremation) is over. Therefore, we have asked Prabhu and Raut to remove the structure immediately or face legal consequences,” Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte said.

The 86-year-old Shiv Sena supremo was cremated on November 18 at Shivaji Park, where the leader had addressed his followers during Dussehra rallies for over 40 years.

Earlier, Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray had said the controversy over the Thackeray memorial was unnecessary. Uddhav in an interview to Sena’s paper Saamna said the party would continue fighting for ‘Marathi Manoos’ and ‘Hindutvavaad’.