Ahead of local elections, the representatives of the Shia community in Mumbai demanded political representation in the BMC elections. Shia community leaders warned secular political parties that they will collectively vote NOTA in Shia-majority areas if no person from the community is given a ticket.
“Mumbai is home to nearly 20 lakh Shia muslims, yet not a single secular political party has ever granted representation to the community since the establishment of the Municipal Corporation of Mumbai,” said Arif Sayyed, president, adding no major party has fielded a Shia candidate since the 1980s and it is high time that a Shia candidate must be given a party ticket from Ward 139.
According to Mr. Sayyed, Mumbai’s Govandi, Mankhurd, and Shivaji Nagar Assembly constituencies are significant hubs of the Shia population, with 10,000 to 15,000 Shia residents in various wards. For instance, ward No. 139 (Lotus Colony) houses nearly 20,000 to 25,000 Shia Muslims.
The Mumbai Shia Youth Brigade has also written to all political parties on November 16, 2025, raising concerns regarding civic and religious matters. “In case of continued neglect, the Shia community will boycott elections and vote NOTA across Shia-majority wards,” reads the letter.
Alongside political representation, the community also reiterated its long-pending demand for the allocation of land for a Karbala, essential for performing Muharram rituals and other religious practices in an organised manner.
Bombay High Court lawyer Abid Sayyed highlighted that whichever political party fulfils this “legitimate demand” will receive the full support and united votes of the Shia community in the upcoming municipal elections.
On the same matter, a meeting was held on November 13, 2025, to address the long-pending issue of political representation in the upcoming Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections.
Published – November 20, 2025 03:56 am IST
