Mumbai: Liquor party at Bandra Fort sparks political uproar; CM orders probe

Pic/Screengrab

A political storm erupted after a video showing liquor being served at what appeared to be a private party at Bandra Fort went viral over the weekend.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress questioned how permission was granted for such an event at a protected heritage site. Within hours of the clip circulating widely, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a probe into the incident.

The party was reportedly held on Saturday evening and continued into the early hours of Sunday. The viral footage shows liquor bottles placed on a counter, sparking outrage from political leaders and local residents.

Shiv Sena (UBT) secretary Akhil Chitre, who first posted the video on X, accused the Maharashtra Excise Department and the BMC of enabling a "liquor party" at the 400-year-old Bandra Fort, despite a 2020 state government order prohibiting alcohol consumption on forts across Maharashtra.

Speaking to IANS, Chitre said, "The BJP should explain under whose direction such planned events are taking place at Maharashtra's forts and heritage sites. While the BJP talks about cultural preservation, their ministers and MLAs are allowing alcohol parties at heritage sites. We have shared this video to expose the real face of the BJP."

Chitre claimed the 6.25-minute video was filmed by local residents early on Sunday. He later visited the site with police officials to question the organisers, who allegedly asserted they had permission but refused to produce documents. The gathering is believed to have been a post-event party following a three-day music festival hosted at the fort.

The controversy escalated as Congress leaders raised similar concerns. Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar questioned how such an event could be permitted at a protected monument and demanded accountability from the authorities.

Maharashtra Minister and BJP leader Ashish Shelar responded on Tuesday (November 18), calling the incident "unfortunate, wrong and unacceptable." He said he had ordered a departmental inquiry and that the administration was verifying whether any permissions were granted.

"The incident that occurred at Bandra Fort or its premises is unfortunate, wrong and unacceptable. The Chief Minister and I have ordered an investigation into this matter," Shelar said.

However, Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad questioned Shelar's presence at the event as a special guest, asking how he could attend if the incident was "wrong and unacceptable." She accused the BJP of "double standards" and demanded a high-level probe, along with immediate implementation of security measures at all heritage forts.

Opposition parties have reiterated calls for stringent action against those who authorised the event and for stronger safeguards to prevent similar violations in the future.