A political row on Friday broke out on the issue of illegal Bangladeshi`s in Mumbai, with Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde questioning the previous leadership in the city civic body and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray reacting to it.
The exchange comes amid recent civic action and statements regarding the identification and deportation of foreign nationals living illegally in Mumbai.
Tawde questioned why the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had failed to act earlier against alleged illegal Bangladeshi residents, despite BJP leader Kirit Somaiya having submitted evidence and information to the authorities.
She said that necessary steps must be taken to verify documents and ensure that those staying illegally in the city face action as per the law.
Responding to it, Aaditya Thackeray said he welcomed the move to deport illegal Bangladeshi nationals. However, he questioned how they were allowed to enter the country in the first place.
In a post on his social media handle X, Aaditya Thackeray stated that if infiltration had taken place, it pointed to a failure of both the central and state governments, which are led by the BJP. He said the responsibility for border security and preventing illegal entry lies with the Government of India and the state administration.
How illegal migrants entered Mumbai
He argued that if large numbers of illegal migrants had entered Mumbai, it reflected a serious lapse in governance.
The issue has added to ongoing tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT) in Maharashtra. While both sides appear to agree on deporting illegal residents, they differ sharply on who should be held accountable for their alleged presence in Mumbai.
He further wrote that while the newly elected Mumbai mayor appeared focused on the issue of alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators, pressing civic problems in the city were being ignored.
He listed concerns such as dug-up roads, uncollected garbage, poor condition of footpaths, encroachment on open spaces by developers, and polluted air and water.
नवनिर्वाचित महापौरांना आता एकच प्रश्न सतावतोय बांगलादेशी घुसखोरांचा! चांगलं आहे पण मुंबईतील नागरी प्रश्नांकडे मात्र त्यांचे दुर्लक्ष होतेय; खोदून ठेवलेले रस्ते, न उचलला जाणारा कचरा, पादचारी मार्गांची दुरवस्था, मोकळ्या जागांवरील बांधकाम व्यावसायिकांचे अतिक्रमण, प्रदूषित पाणी आणि…
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) February 13, 2026
Questions on border security
Thackeray argued that issues related to illegal immigration fall under the jurisdiction of the Union and State Home Ministries, not the municipal corporation.
He questioned how alleged Bangladeshi nationals could have entered India illegally and travelled across BJP-ruled states to reach Mumbai. He also asked how they had managed to stay in the country for several years despite the BJP being in power at the Centre for over a decade.
Mayor orders seizure of 237 fake birth certificates
Mumbai Mayor, Ritu Tawde, on Friday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) health department to seize 237 fake birth certificates issued to illegal residents within one month, officials said.
They said that she also announced that the city will carry out strict checks on birth certificates held by hawkers, especially those believed to be illegal foreign residents.
Tawde held a press conference following the meeting, in which she revealed that action will be taken against those involved in issuing fake documents.
In an official statement, the Mumbai civic body said that the Deputy Municipal Commissioner of Public Health, Sharad Ughade, said that all 237 certificates have been cancelled on the official portal.
However, Tawde said criminal cases will be filed against the doctors and health officials who issued these fake certificates.
So far, eight people have been charged, and action against the remaining officials will begin from Monday, the statement said.
She also demanded a fresh investigation into cases where birth certificates were issued after a delay of 21 days.
Two medical officers have already been suspended, and further action is expected against others. The mayor stated that all documents issued after January 1, 2016 will be thoroughly reviewed, officials said.
