Tensions erupted in Mira Road on Monday and Tuesday after residents of the Poonam Cluster housing society objected to the keeping of goats within the society premises in preparation for Bakri Eid, which falls on May 28. Videos capturing heated arguments circulated widely on social media on Monday evening, and according to reports, one individual sustained injuries during the altercation.
MBMC Removes Goats
On Tuesday afternoon, the Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) took action by removing approximately 40 to 50 goats from the society premises. The animals were loaded onto three pickup trucks and transported to a designated site allocated by the civic body.
Police Presence Ensures Order
A substantial police contingent from the Mira-Bhayander-Vasai-Virar force was deployed on Tuesday to maintain law and order and prevent any further untoward incidents. Local residents expressed the view that animal sacrifices should be conducted at authorized locations rather than within society premises. Following the incident, a group gathered in front of the society to recite the Hanuman Chalisa.
Political Reactions
Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya visited Mira Road and advocated for a ban on sacrifices within society premises, emphasizing that only dedicated spaces should be utilized for such purposes. He held the local municipal corporation responsible for ensuring that designated sites are used. Somaiya also referenced a previous incident in Mira Road last month, where two security guards were stabbed, allegedly following religious profiling by an individual named Zaib Ansari.
Local BJP MLA Narendra Mehta urged all communities to celebrate their festivals without causing disturbance to others. He noted that over the past two days, around 40 to 50 goats had been illegally kept at the Poonam Cluster society, which had drawn objections from residents. Society members had requested the removal of the goats, but tensions escalated on Monday night. Mehta expressed dissatisfaction that the removal could have been carried out earlier.
Shiv Sena minister and Thane MLA Pratap Sarnaik remarked that the people of Mira-Bhayander have coexisted peacefully for years, with only minor incidents occurring occasionally. He alleged that "leaders from outside come in and spread disharmony in the area."
