The tussle between Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)-RJ Malishka Mendonsa is growing with each passing day. After RJ highlighted the problems through a parody in a video. Now, BMC has slapped a fine on RJ for showing the BMC in a bad light by posting the ‘defamatory’ video.
As per news channel CNN-News 18, RJ has been asked to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 by the BMC. It all started after RJ Malishka on local FM channel put up a video ‘Mumbai tula BMC var bharosa nahi kay’ (Mumbai, don’t you trust BMC?) in which through a parody she mentioned about the ill-preparedness of the BMC during the monsoons.
After the incident came to light Yuva Sena (youth wing of Shiv Sena) leaders demanded a Rs 500 crore lawsuit against her for defamation. Shiv Sena leaders and cooperators have called it a ‘political stunt’ and stated that her views on the issue is not shared by the people living in the city.
Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, Mumbai Mayor said Malishka’s song is her personal view and it does not reflect the real conditions in Mumbai. “It is very easy to highlight these issues of potholes. But there are many successful projects and good initiatives undertaken by the BMC. Nobody wants to highlight that. Nobody wants to highlight the hard work that is put in by BMC workers each day. We do not want to give importance to her personal views, ” he said.
After her video, the BMC issued a notice to Malishka under section 381B of Mumbai Municipal Corporation claiming that in a routine survey they found Aedes mosquito breeding at the RJ’s Pali Naka residence.
Meanwhile, Andheri residents have come out in her support, Daniel Fernandes, a well- known comedian said that ‘now that they have won the elections, they are doing this.’ While speaking to CNN the protesters said that their experience with the BMC authority has been very unpleasant, and that they have selectively targeted Malishka.
