INSTANT mid-day IMPACT: Whose Bandra is it? Ranwar residents push back against influencer crowds

A whiteboard at the entrance of Ranwar Village in Bandra West has become the latest flashpoint in the cityrsquos ongoing battle between residents and the influencer economyThe handwritten sign declares that photography and modelling are banned and claims the rule is ldquoby law Mumbai Policerdquo However the board appears unofficial with no formal markingsA police officer investigates the signboard on a wall in Ranwar Village in Bandra right A sign outside Ranwar Village states that photography and modelling are banned It claims that this is ldquoby law Mumbai Policerdquo PicsNimesh DaveResidents say the sign reflects growing frustration with crowds using their homes and streets as backdrops for social media contentNot the first resistanceResidents say this is not new Clint Fernandes a resident and makeup artist recalled disruptions during film shoots featuring Jackie Shroff Anil Kapoor and Govinda While no formal ban existed locals had pushed back against filming even thenIs this a lsquofetishisationrsquoDr Baptista believes the issue reflects a deeper trend ldquoFor the last decade we have been romanticising and fetishising heritage There are beautiful colours Therersquos some rusticness to it So letrsquos do a reel and a dance reel The background is incidental Letrsquos be honestrdquoDr Anita Rane Kothare president of the Bombay Local History Society linked the issue to overtourism ldquoTourists are creating a nuisance vandalism and excessive content It is ruining the spirit of the streetrdquoBhatt added that genuine visitors over the globe are fed up ldquoHeritage tours can help but they must be limited to small groups Itrsquos unfortunate people who visit out of genuine interest in the history tend to lose outrdquoCan a whiteboard be lawThe legality of such bans remains unclear Dr Baptista said similar areas like Khotachiwadi use more structured systems such as police logbooks However Ranwarrsquos sign acts mainly as a deterrentldquoThese boards are not enforceable beyond a point Police have better things to do At best they may respond and take a walk if someone callsrdquoThe influencer effectResidents say reels have changed the scale mdash and the tone mdash of intrusionClint Fernandes said casual photography earlier did not cause conflictldquoThe reels have escalated this Earlier people would just take a photoldquoNow there is dancing noise and crowding I guess that is what made them a little bit mentalrdquoReferring to the recent viral clash he said ldquoItrsquos about basic courtesy The roads are narrow and people are shooting right outside homes We canrsquot even keep our windows openrdquoBhatt added ldquoYou have to take permission and shoot quietly That sense of entitlement needs to go Everyone has a camera nowrdquoWhat is Ranwar Village A 400yearold East Indian Christian hamlet in Bandra West One of Bandrarsquos original 24 pakhadis hamlets Known for restored heritage bungalows and colourful streets Now home to popular cafeacutes and restaurantsTrigger point Reels crowds confrontation The tension has been building for months A Bandra influencer previously drew backlash after asking people to stop visiting the suburb Last week a video showed an influencer arguing with a Ranwar resident while filming near a crucifix on Veronica Street Residents say influencers often film without consent causing disruptionThis has turned a local irritation into a wider debate on public access versus private lifeSunil Pandey AdvocateViolates fundamental rightsSunil Pandey AdvocateldquoAs per Supreme Court rulings under Article 21 there is no absolute ban on photography or videography in public places in India If these boards have been put up by local residents it may violate the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 191a which includes the right to express through the media However this right is subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 192rdquoThe solution a new social contractExperts say a blanket ban is not practicalSuggested measures Fixed timings for heritage walks Smaller controlled groups Prior permission from residents Greater accountability for tour operatorsDr Kothare said ldquoWe cannot stop people from coming but we can regulate how they engagerdquoFernandes added that tour operators must coordinate with locals ldquoSpeak to residents explain your intent and ensure it is nondisruptiverdquoThe policy gapDr Baptista noted that Mumbai lacks enforceable heritage policy frameworks UDRI guidelines 1998 exist but are not legally binding Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee is advisory only No executive enforcement powersldquoTwentyfive years on these remain guidelines not policyrdquo he saidHow other places manage itFontainhas Goa Photography is restricted in residential streets Allowed in commercial zonesKyoto Japan Gion district Photography is banned in private alleys Fine of 10000 yen Main public streets remain openInstant midday impactAfter midday contacted the Bandra police about the signboard officers reached the spot to investigate The board was found to be illegal and unauthorised and the Mumbai Policersquos name had been used without permission by a local residentSenior Inspector Ravindra Salunkhe of Bandra police station said ldquoWe removed the board and brought the person who installed it to the police station for inquiry We are verifying why it was put up Using the Mumbai Police name without permission is illegal We will take action accordinglyrdquoThe gentrification gapDr Baptista pointed out that Bandra has undergone significant gentrificationldquoThe eateries are no longer designed for locals They cater to newer crowds who have come in over the past decaderdquoFernandes added ldquoThe cafes need to kind of be a little bit sensitive about these residential areas because in Bandra now I donrsquot think we have the demarcation of a residential area nonresidential area everything is onerdquoInput by Dinesh VaktanialsquoWe donrsquot want to be on displayrsquoResidents say their homes are being treated like public sets with little regard for privacyRanwar residents Pooja Bhatt and Clint Fernandes in black tshirt feel the influencers are just creating chaos and never bother to ask for permission PicsJunisha DamaPooja Bhatt Actor and longtime Bandra residentldquoMost people just create chaos People come for the perfect shot and it has rubbed people the wrong way This is our homerdquo She added that Bandrarsquos welcoming spirit is being strained ldquoValets have hijacked parking roads are dug up and influencers are dancing outside homesrdquoDr Andre Baptista Archaeologist and resident of KhotachiwadildquoOur houses open up to neighbourhoods The neighbourhood the street is very much part of our extended home Having influencers dance on the streets with views directly into somebodyrsquos bedroom or living room mdash therein comes the invasion part of it We are everyday citizens We wake up in the morning We just want to stand outside maybe fetch our newspaper Wersquore having a cup of tea We donrsquot want to have to look down and see 20 people pointing the cameras at you It reduces the space to a heritage zoordquo