Mumbai mayor claims 'tukde tukde' slogans raised during civic body meeting

A political row erupted during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) general body meeting on Thursday after the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused opposition corporators of raising anti-national slogans, a charge strongly denied by the Congress.The disruption began before the civic body's proceedings and continued after the meeting, with opposition corporators from the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) raising slogans in support of protesting students. The sloganeering led to a prolonged face-off between members of the ruling alliance and the opposition inside the BMC headquarters, prompting authorities to shut a door separating the two groups in an attempt to prevent further confrontation.Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde later alleged that opposition corporators raised the slogan, "Bharat Tere Tukde Tukde Honge, Inshallah Inshallah", along with slogans against Lord Ram and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on X, the mayor said the slogans were raised after the live broadcast of the general body meeting had ended."I am saddened that 'Bharat Tere Tukde Tukde Honge, Inshallah Inshallah' slogans were raised. Slogans were also raised against Lord Ram and Prime Minister Modi. These slogans were raised after the live broadcasting was over. We will inquire into this matter," Tawde said. CONGRESS REJECTS ALLEGATIONSThe allegations were rejected by Congress corporator Brian (Tulip) Miranda, who said the opposition's protest was solely in support of students and accused the BJP of attempting to create a false narrative."We are raising our voice for students. The BJP is spreading its own narrative. If we have raised such slogans, we will resign. If we have not, then the mayor should resign," Miranda said. Backing the mayor's claims, BJP corporator Navnath Ban alleged that the controversial slogans were indeed raised during the protest. He said political slogans against the BJP were acceptable, but slogans directed against the country would not be tolerated."You can raise slogans against the BJP, but if you raise slogans against the country, we will not tolerate it. What kind of forces have taken over this protest? Such slogans cannot be accepted," Ban said.The allegations and counter-allegations have intensified the political confrontation in Mumbai, with both sides demanding accountability over the incident.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Jul 23, 2026 20:45 IST