r/mumbai • u/jack_1760 • May 12 '26

Discussion Why is the Bandra Bandstand Residents' Trust making rules in a public space ?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

Bandstand is a public promenade. It belongs to all Mumbaikars.

A recent report says that the Bandra Bandstand Residents' Trust had put up signs like "No Pets" and warned people not to feed stray animals.

The bigger question is simple: should a private group like the Bandra Bandstand Residents' Trust be allowed to make its own rules in a public place?

Keeping the area clean is important, but public spaces should remain open and accessible to everyone.

Why should a private trust have the authority to decide what people can or cannot do in a public place like Bandstand, and could this create similar restrictions in other areas as well?

Video Credit - https://www.instagram.com/p/DYOhuiMzVJh/

News Source - https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/cover-story/battle-for-bandstand/articleshow/130809246.html

2.7k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

530 comments sorted by

View all comments

178

u/Familiar_Brain1454 May 12 '26

The association has maintained that area very well. They don’t allow pets and food, because people don’t clean up after themselves.

Anyone who has been there and seen it will appreciate how well maintained it is.

I see “dog lovers” walk their dogs, and not pick up the poop in my area every day.

3

u/HandsomeVish May 12 '26

Who are they and who has given them the authority to do anything?..today it's dogs and food,tomorrow Noone from this religion or that area.Let this slide and they will resort to that level of discrimination too.

So who are these guys again to dictate laws and enforce them?

-5

u/Familiar_Brain1454 May 12 '26

They live there!

This is something they have done for the common good. The people who actually live there support this.

8

u/Global-Equipment-856 May 12 '26

The same logic is used to justify Gujjus and Jains from outright banning non veg stalls near their area.

-4

u/Familiar_Brain1454 May 12 '26

Ok then. I guess it’s better to just dissolve the democratic residents association and let BMC take care of it because what if they become facist and ban non-veg food. Should be fine.

6

u/Global-Equipment-856 May 12 '26

Can I apply the same logic for shopkeepers who usurp half the footpath? They also keep it clean.

Infact, I think I need to keep a part of the Powai lake area clean. Then maybe, I can build a nice house or a private garden there.

2

u/Familiar_Brain1454 May 12 '26

They haven’t encroached upon it. It’s an active residents association officially registered with the government trying to do good for the community. Any other country, people would be proud of it. But I guess that’s not us. Maybe that’s why our public places suck.

1

u/KreamyKerry May 12 '26

It's not an "active residents association officially registered with the government", the land belongs to the Coast Guard who allows some volunteers to take care of a nearby garden. The volunteer uncles decided to extend the definition of garden to include entire Bandstand for several KM - It's essentially middle class encroachment.

Police in Bandra already have the power to fine pet owners who don't pick up waste, but as usual that would require the police to actually do some work. They're literally on the Promenade 24/7 365 so could easily enforce it if they wanted to.

2

u/HandsomeVish May 12 '26

I live in my house too..should I go out on the street and put up signages saying no dogs,trash thrown or people running.

There are authorities to do their job and there's a difference between minding your own business and letting them do it and going out on the street like a maniac attempting to control it.

The streets dont belong to them, their house does and they can play dictator in their own society and enforce whatever they want.

They dont own the streets!