Mira Road housing society denies Navratri garba permission to 120 families after Bakri Eid row

A fresh dispute has arisen over Navratri celebrations at Poonam Estate Cluster-1 in Mira Road, following the row over Bakri Eid. As in previous years, about 120 families had asked the society's office-bearers for permission to hold garba, dandiya and cultural programmes in the society's common space. The society refused to issue a no-objection certificate, which has angered residents.

Poonam Estate Cluster-1 has around 625 flats, and people of different faiths live there. Residents had proposed holding garba, dandiya and cultural programmes between October 11 and 20 in the society's common space. They said society rules, administration notices, security arrangements, cleanliness and other necessary norms would be followed during the events.

The society has said that its general body meeting on September 28 decided that such programmes would not be allowed. The Navratri permission was rejected on the basis of that decision. Residents who want to hold Navratri events have objected, and have asked whether it is right to ban festival programmes because of the earlier dispute.

Resident Umashankar Nag has lodged a complaint. He alleges that it is not right to refuse Navratri permission unilaterally when residents were ready to celebrate while following society rules and administration notices. Residents are upset at being turned down despite being prepared to maintain the necessary discipline and security in the use of the common space.

The matter was earlier also complained about to the Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Thane taluka. The deputy registrar's office is said to have directed the society to take appropriate action on the issues raised in the complaint, in accordance with the law and the society's bylaws. Residents are now waiting to see what is decided on the Navratri celebrations.

On the Bakri Eid dispute, a quarrel had earlier broken out in the Poonam Estate cluster over bringing and keeping goats. After some residents objected, the situation became tense. The dispute turned into a clash between two groups, after which the Poonam Estate area came into the public eye. After the incident, it was said that the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation had put in place rules on keeping goats and animal sacrifice in building premises. Since then, residents have become more sensitive about religious events, use of common space and society rules.

Society office-bearers, for their part, have clarified that there is no religious motive behind the opposition to Navratri. They say the society is not against the celebration of any festival. The decision was taken at the September 28 general body meeting in view of the earlier dispute in the area.

According to information given by society office-bearers Rupa Pinto, Danish Jake and Minaz Dokh, efforts are being made to implement the decision taken at the general body meeting. They say the decision was taken with the peace and security of the area in mind, and so that there is no further dispute.

While the society has put forward security and peace after the earlier dispute, the residents seeking permission are ready to follow the rules. A need has therefore arisen for the two sides to find a solution through mutual understanding. Residents say Navratri is a religious occasion but also a social and cultural celebration for many families. They say the administration and the society should therefore take a clear stand on an alternative venue, timings, security arrangements and noise pollution rules.

Residents of Poonam Estate are now watching what will be decided on Navratri on the basis of the general body resolution, the society's bylaws and the directions of the deputy registrar's office. It remains to be seen whether a way is found for people of all faiths to celebrate festivals within the rules, without repeating the earlier dispute.