Shia community representatives demand ticket in BMC election or will vote NOTA

Ahead of section elections, the representatives of the Shia assemblage successful Mumbai demanded governmental practice successful the BMC elections. Shia assemblage leaders warned secular governmental parties that they volition collectively ballot NOTA successful Shia-majority areas if nary idiosyncratic from the assemblage is fixed a ticket.

“Mumbai is location to astir 20 lakh Shia muslims, yet not a azygous secular governmental enactment has ever granted practice to the assemblage since the constitution of the Municipal Corporation of Mumbai,” said Arif Sayyed, president, adding nary large enactment has fielded a Shia campaigner since the 1980s and it is precocious clip that a Shia campaigner indispensable beryllium fixed a enactment summons from Ward 139.

According to Mr. Sayyed, Mumbai’s Govandi, Mankhurd, and Shivaji Nagar Assembly constituencies are important hubs of the Shia population, with 10,000 to 15,000 Shia residents successful assorted wards. For instance, ward No. 139 (Lotus Colony) houses astir 20,000 to 25,000 Shia Muslims.

The Mumbai Shia Youth Brigade has besides written to each governmental parties connected November 16, 2025, raising concerns regarding civic and spiritual matters. “In lawsuit of continued neglect, the Shia assemblage volition boycott elections and ballot NOTA crossed Shia-majority wards,” reads the letter.

Alongside governmental representation, the assemblage besides reiterated its long-pending request for the allocation of onshore for a Karbala, indispensable for performing Muharram rituals and different spiritual practices successful an organised manner.

Bombay High Court lawyer Abid Sayyed highlighted that whichever governmental enactment fulfils this “legitimate demand” volition person the afloat enactment and agreed votes of the Shia assemblage successful the upcoming municipal elections.

On the aforesaid matter, a gathering was held connected November 13, 2025, to code the long-pending contented of governmental practice successful the upcoming Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections.