Fadnavis Slams Row Over White Road Strips For Jain Monks
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday slammed political parties for fueling a controversy over white strips painted on Mumbai roads to assist barefoot Jain monks in the summer heat.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday slammed political parties for fueling a controversy over white strips painted on Mumbai roads to assist barefoot Jain monks in the summer heat. He appealed for harmony, saying communities should respect each other’s traditions.
Fadnavis’ reaction followed protests by MNS leaders who opposed the white strips in Ghatkopar, Dadar and Girgaon areas in Mumbai. The CM criticised the actions as divisive. Taking potshots at the MNS, he said that creating rifts between communities for political mileage is entirely wrong, harmful, and does not yield any electoral gains.
Responding to the controversy, Fadnavis said, “No one should attempt to pit one community against another or create social discord. If a community follows a particular tradition, it should be allowed to preserve it, while other communities should respect those customs. At the same time, those observing such traditions must also respect the sentiments of others.”
“All communities must coexist, respect each other’s traditions and ensure that religious practices do not inconvenience the general public,” he added.
The controversy erupted after white strips and markings were painted on public roads and within housing societies in Mumbai.
Members of the Jain community have defended the practice, stating that the white stripes were painted to reduce discomfort for Jain monks and nuns who walk barefoot. According to them, the reflective white paint helps lower the heat absorbed by road surfaces during the summer, making it easier for religious leaders to walk.
However, MNS leaders have aggressively opposed the markings forcing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to scrub them off or spray black paint over them.
The MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande said that erecting such strips on public roads without permission is ‘cultural terrorism.’
After the controversy escalated, the BMC has clarified that no permission had been given to construct such strips on public roads. The civic body has removed these strips from many places in the city.
