The elections for key posts at the historic Asiatic Society of Mumbai have been postponed indefinitely after the charity commissioner ordered preparation of a fresh list of eligible voters. The polls had earlier been scheduled for November 8, 2025 and later rescheduled for March 14
Asiatic Society
The elections to various posts, including that of president, in the management structure of the iconic Asiatic Society of Mumbai (ASM) have been postponed indefinitely. Originally to be held on November 8, 2025, the polls had been postponed to March 14. The cancellation of the elections was mentioned in an order of the charity commissioner.
The order reads, “A sub-committee has been appointed to prepare a list of valid and eligible voters for the purposes of elections strictly as per the provisions and directed not to accept any new applications for membership/claiming right of vote for the purposes of elections.
The Asiatic Society at Horniman Circle in Fort. FILE PIC/ATUL KAMBLE
After preparation, the list be published on the website as well as notice board of the Society… The elections shall then be conducted within a month of the publication of final list of valid and eligible voters under the supervision of the Deputy Charity Commissioner, Mumbai (sic).”
Political angle
The society elections this time have become contentious due to the entry of political heavyweights from national parties — former BJP MP Vinay Sahasrabuddhe and former Congress MP Kumar Ketkar —competing for the top post, along with their teams in the elections.
Independent members
There are seven independent candidates who are in the race who wish to stay non-aligned, objective and reform-oriented.
Controversy
The spike in new memberships in recent months and disputes over the voter list have been leading to the postponement of elections originally scheduled for November 8, 2025 and again on March 14.
Significance of Society
Founded in 1804 and housed in the iconic Town Hall building at Horniman Circle, the Asiatic Society has served for over two centuries as a centre of scholarship, preserving artefacts that chronicle India’s cultural and colonial history. Although the Asiatic Library (Town Hall) is not a UNESCO heritage site, it is still classified as a Grade-I heritage structure. The Society’s library houses over one lakh books, 3000 ancient manuscripts, and 1300 maps. The basement is home to treasures such as the original manuscript of Dante’s Divine Comedy and the Mahabharata in Persian and remains a beacon for historians and researchers worldwide, but preservation has been a concern.
The vacant posts
The elections are happening to elect the office-bearers for two years; the president, four vice-presidents, and honorary secretary along with five members of the managing committee for a period of three years. The polls also include filling up one post of the managing committee for a period of two years and to elect a scrutinising committee comprising seven members.
Funding
The recent BMC budget for 2026-27 awarded a grant of Rs 75 lakh to the Asiatic Society. The Maharashtra government has been giving it an annual grant of R1 crore for the past two years with a clear mandate that the money cannot be used for salaries. An annual grant is also received from the Union ministry of culture, which involves restrictions on where the money can be spent.
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