On February 13, Mumbai's newly elected Mayor Ritu Tawde announced her administration's commitment to take stringent action against individuals possessing illegal birth certificates, particularly targeting those who allegedly procured these documents fraudulently, including individuals from Bangladesh. The mayor emphasized that 237 fake birth certificates issued by officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have already been cancelled, although the original documents remain with the beneficiaries.
Tawde stated during a press briefing that she has instructed BMC officials to complete the recovery of these documents within a month, expressing her determination to eradicate corruption within the civic body. She warned that failure to comply would result in serious consequences for the officials involved. "Eight FIRs have already been filed in connection with the illegal issuance of birth certificates, and investigations are ongoing," she added.
- Cancellation of fake certificates — A total of 237 fraudulent birth certificates have been cancelled, and efforts are underway to recover them.
- Investigations into officials — Two medical officers have already been suspended as part of the ongoing probe into the issuance of illegal documents.
- Focus on civic issues — Tawde aims to address the broader implications of illegal documentation on city governance.
Despite these efforts, Tawde's focus on illegal immigrants has drawn criticism from opposition leader Uddhav Thackeray, who accused her of neglecting pressing civic issues like poor infrastructure and waste management. He argued that the responsibility of dealing with illegal immigrants lies with the Union Home Ministry, not the municipal corporation. Thackeray's comments highlight the political tensions surrounding the issue, with the BJP now in control of Mumbai's civic body.
In response, Tawde asserted that her administration will not overlook serious matters affecting the city's governance, and she plans to verify the authenticity of birth certificates and Aadhaar cards of street vendors and hawkers throughout Mumbai. This initiative is part of a larger strategy to ensure that illegal stalls and encroachments are removed, thereby making footpaths accessible for pedestrians.
