Saamana Editorial Criticizes Mumbai Housing Policy, Says Marathi Residents Treated Like ‘Doormats’
Shiv Sena (UBT) accuses Maharashtra government of undermining Marathi rights, calling ‘Pagdi-mukta’ Mumbai initiative hypocritical and election-driven
Mumbai, Dec 13: Maharashtra’s opposition party Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) on Saturday sharply criticized the state government, alleging that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde are undermining the rights and welfare of the Marathi population.
In a hard-hitting editorial in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Thackeray faction claimed the Fadnavis-Shinde government has reduced the status of Marathi residents to that of a “doormat,” highlighting that despite promises of a ‘Pagdi-mukta’ (Pagdi-free) Mumbai, the core issue of housing denial remains unaddressed. The editorial called the move “hypocrisy,” accusing the administration and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of orchestrating policies that fail to benefit the “Marathi Manoos,” the sons of the soil.
The editorial specifically targeted DCM Shinde’s redevelopment plans for Mumbai’s old buildings under the pagdi system, including “amnesty” for structures without Occupancy Certificates (OCs) and redevelopment of chawls on mill lands. It questioned how much of these schemes will truly aid Marathi residents, citing Shinde’s Thane district where hundreds of Marathi families were left homeless following demolition of OC-less buildings.
According to Shiv Sena (UBT), the government’s announcements—coming ahead of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation elections—are politically motivated. The party accused authorities of prioritizing popular announcements over flood-affected farmers in Marathwada and the 6.5 lakh farmers still awaiting Samman Yojana benefits.
The editorial further highlighted alleged discrimination in housing societies, pointing out that in areas like Mira-Bhayandar and Mumbai, some builders reportedly restrict homes to “Marwadi-Jain” buyers, and local language politics in neighborhoods like Ghatkopar favor Gujarati over Marathi.
Saamana also claimed that Shinde and associates aim to “snatch Mumbai” from the Marathi people and present it as a gift to Amit Shah, while the Chief Minister sanctioned Rs 32,523 crore for development projects in Pune despite acknowledging a state debt of approximately Rs 9.5 lakh crore. The editorial described these moves as an election-driven attempt to manipulate public perception and divert attention from the government’s alleged failures.
