A major demolition drive carried out by railway authorities in Mumbai’s Bandra East area has triggered outrage after a mosque and several nearby structures were demolished in the Gareeb Nagar locality. The action was conducted following directions from the Bombay High Court, with officials claiming the structures were built on encroached railway land. According to Western Railway authorities, nearly 500 illegal huts near Bandra railway station were targeted during the operation, and around 60 percent of the encroachments have already been cleared. More than 1,000 security personnel, including Mumbai Police, RPF and GRP staff, were deployed to prevent unrest during the drive.

Tension escalated on May 20 when officials moved to demolish a three-storey mosque located in the area. Residents and local Muslims gathered in large numbers to protest the demolition, alleging that proper prior notice was not given before the action. Videos circulating online showed chaotic scenes as demonstrators attempted to stop the operation. Protesters accused the administration of targeting religious structures without sensitivity, while officials maintained that the demolition was part of a court-directed anti-encroachment campaign covering the entire locality and not a specific community.

The situation later turned violent after police carried out a lathi-charge on protesters, including women and elderly residents, following allegations of stone pelting at the site. Police confirmed that at least 15 people have been arrested so far in connection with the clashes. Several videos from the incident sparked criticism on social media, especially one clip showing an elderly woman allegedly being struck on the head during the police action. The incident has now intensified political and public debate over demolition drives, police response during protests, and the handling of religiously sensitive structures in densely populated urban areas.