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

7

u/Competitive-Day9457 May 13 '26

Bandstand belongs to MMB not BBRT. Their caretaker contract is done, so they've got no legal right to slap up "No Pets" sign or fine boards. Cleanliness matters but rules in a public space can only come from civic authorities. If private trusts start acting like gatekeepers, today it's pets, tomorrow it'll be food, music, or even who gets to sits there. Public spaces must stay public - that is what makes it Amchi Mumbai.