MNS leader Sachin Popale slams BJP MLA Narendra Mehta for calling Mira-Bhayandar a city of Jains

BJP MLA Narendra Mehta's claim that Mira-Bhayandar is a city of Jains has heated up the city's political climate. Mehta made the remark at the "Darshan Sagar Samman 2026" ceremony held in Thane. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken a hard line on the statement. Sachin Vasant Popale, MNS Vidhan Sabha president, has sharply criticised Mehta.

Speaking at the Thane event, Mehta claimed that an attempt was made to play politics over the religious practices of the Jain community. He said a similar atmosphere had been sought to be created in Mira-Bhayandar too, but he had foiled it. Mehta said, "I was born into the Jain faith, and I am proud of it. Whenever Jain dharma faces difficulty, I will stand with them."

Describing Mira-Bhayandar as a city of Jains, Mehta also said that both the MLA and the mayor here are Jains. He also claimed that, after coming to power in the municipal corporation, he had rejected the plan for a proposed Rs 50 crore slaughterhouse in Mira-Bhayandar.

MNS Vidhan Sabha president Sachin Popale objected to Mehta's statement. Popale said, "Mira-Bhayandar is not a city of Jains, but a city of the Agri-Koli and Marathi people." He also alleged that Mehta's statement was creating discord between Marathi and non-Marathi people, and between the Gujarati and Jain communities.

Popale said the identity of the city cannot be confined to any one community. Making this point, he warned Mehta. He also appealed that statements dividing the city on religious or linguistic lines be avoided.

Meanwhile, another political clash between the BJP and the MNS over Mehta's statement is being anticipated. In the coming days, the political climate in Mira-Bhayandar is likely to heat up further over the issue.