3 weeks ago
Bandra Fair Stall Closure Sparks Dispute Over Police Timings
The Bandra Fair has temporary stalls near the Mount Mary Steps.
Some stall owners say police made them close earlier than expected.
They say this happened at about 9pm on the first two days, even though stalls stayed open later last year.
A community organisation said the action was unfair and asked police to explain the official closing time.
The organisation also said the closures could hurt visitors and stall owners.
Police said the stalls were supposed to close at 10pm every year.
Police also said rain and fewer visitors led some vendors to close on their own.
The two sides disagree about whether police ordered an early closure.
They are seeking clarity about the rules and the reason for the closures.
Vendors and community groups alleged that stalls near the Mount Mary Steps were shut prematurely and arbitrarily during the Bandra Fair.
Stall owner Irin Polly said vendors were told to close as early as 9pm on the first two days, compared with 11pm the previous year.
The Watchdog Foundation called for clarification, saying any earlier closure order should be formally disclosed and communicated.
Bandra police denied forcing an early shutdown, saying stalls were required to close at 10pm and some vendors closed earlier because of rain and low visitor numbers.
The dispute concerns access to the fair, possible financial losses for stallholders, and the enforcement of police or licensing rules.
- Who
- Stall owners, the Watchdog Foundation, community groups, visitors, and Bandra police.
- What
- A dispute over whether Bandra Fair stalls near the Mount Mary Steps were ordered to close before the permitted time.
- Where
- At and around the Mount Mary Steps in Bandra, Mumbai.
- When
- During the first two days of the eight-day Bandra Fair; vendors reported closures as early as 9pm on Sunday and Monday.
- Why
- Vendors and community groups allege arbitrary and discriminatory early closures, while police say the prescribed closing time is 10pm and that rain and low visitor numbers led some stalls to shut earlier.
Vendors and Watchdog Foundation
Bandra Police
Timing of closure
Vendors and Watchdog Foundation
Vendors and the Watchdog Foundation say stalls were made to close substantially earlier than traditionally permitted, with one stall owner reporting a 9pm shutdown.
Bandra Police
Police deny forcing stalls to close early and say the prescribed closing time is 10pm.
Reason for the action
Vendors and Watchdog Foundation
The Watchdog Foundation says there was no apparent noise pollution and that any security, traffic, licensing, or law-and-order restriction should have been formally communicated.
Bandra Police
Police say it was raining and visitor numbers were low, so stall owners closed their stalls earlier on their own.
Effect on the fair
Vendors and Watchdog Foundation
The foundation says the alleged closures inconvenienced devotees, visitors, residents, and stallholders and caused financial hardship while disrupting a longstanding tradition.
Bandra Police
Police maintain that the annual closure arrangement was being followed and do not accept the allegation of premature police action.
Key facts
- Event
- Annual Bandra Fair
- Location
- Mount Mary Steps, Bandra, Mumbai
- Reported early closure
- As early as 9pm on the first two days, according to a stall owner
- Police position
- Stalls must close at 10pm under prescribed rules
- Previous-year timing
- A stall owner said stalls remained open until 11pm last year
- Complainant
- Watchdog Foundation trustees Nicholas Almeida and Godfrey Pimenta
- Requested action
- Clarification of the official closing time and an inquiry into the alleged premature closure
Quotes
Bandra police official
An official from Bandra police station
“There is no question of noise pollution in this case. If the police are shutting down the stalls for some other reason, such as security, they should communicate it to the public in writing”
freepressjournal.in
“This has been the case every year. Stalls shut down at 10.00pm. It was raining and there were very few visitors. The stall owners were closing their stalls earlier on their own”
freepressjournal.in
Irin Polly
A stall owner at the Bandra Fair
“Last year we could keep the stalls open till 11.00pm”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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