Muslims pelt stones at Police during removal of illegal mosque in Bandra

• Incident occurred during Police anti-encroachment drive

• More than 500 slum encroachments in the area

Mumbai – Encroachments near the Bandra railway station area are being removed. While a bulldozer was being used against an illegal mosque in the area, local Muslims opposed the action. They hurled bottles and other objects at the Police and also carried out large-scale stone pelting. Police resorted to a lathi-charge against them. In view of the increasing crowd, additional Police forces have been called in. An anti-riot squad has also arrived at the spot. The anti-encroachment drive continued for the second consecutive day. This is considered the biggest anti-encroachment action so far within railway limits in the Bandra area of Mumbai. A few days ago, a video showing slum encroachments near Bandra railway station had gone viral on social media. Following this, the Railways initiated the demolition drive.

There are encroachments spread across 5,000 square metres within Bandra railway limits. More than 500 slums exist in the area. A few days ago, after anti-encroachment action was initiated, the encroachers approached the Bombay High Court. Since the encroachments allegedly had political backing, the action had been halted temporarily; however, the drive has now resumed. It is learnt that the demolition operation will continue for several more days.

🚨 Chaos in Garib Nagar,
Bandra, Mumbai during anti-encroachment drive

Stones were pelted at police while authorities were removing an illegal mosque structure.

The operation involved action against over 500 encroachment and slums.

A few days ago in Rajkot, Gujarat, action was… pic.twitter.com/0EvRtqM3th

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) May 20, 2026

Stand of the railway authorities

Railway officials stated, “Removing encroachments is essential for passenger safety and future development works. The slums that have come up alongside the railway tracks have increased the risk of accidents. Once the land is cleared, it will become possible to expand Bandra Terminus and increase the capacity of long-distance trains. Traffic congestion will reduce and, in future, Bandra railway station will be developed into a world-class terminus.”

Scale of the operation

The demolition drive is being carried out in the presence of a force of nearly 1,000 personnel, including 400 Mumbai Police officials, 400 Railway Police and Railway Protection Force personnel, and 200 Western Railway Police personnel. The operation involves 12 JCB machines, 2 Poclain machines and 12 trucks. Due to this action, land valued at ₹600 crore will return to the possession of Western Railway.

Editorial Perspective

• A few days ago in Rajkot, Police used bulldozers against allegedly illegal Hindu temples. At that time, Hindus only expressed verbal opposition. The Mumbai incident, however, shows that radicalised Muslims attach no value to law and order.
• An enquiry should be conducted into how many more such encroachments exist across Mumbai like those in Bandra, and bulldozer action should be taken against them as well. Along with this, action should also now begin against administrative officials who allowed such illegal encroachments and constructions to come up.