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
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.
महाराष्ट्रातील किल्ल्यांवर हे काय सुरु आहे? पोर्तुगीजांनी बांधलेल्या व नंतर ब्रिटिश आणि मराठा अशा साम्राज्यांच्या इतिहासाची साक्ष देणाऱ्या हेरिटेज वास्तू असलेल्या वांद्रे किल्ल्यावर दारूची पार्टी करण्यासाठी महाराष्ट्र सरकारचं राज्य उत्पादन शुल्क विभाग आणि @mybmc @mybmcWardHW… pic.twitter.com/pV1Urn0C6b
— Akhil Chitre अखिल चित्रे (@akhil1485) November 16, 2025
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.”
Mumbai, Maharashtra: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Akhil Chitre says, "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… pic.twitter.com/Bsf3wpCenv
— IANS (@ians_india) November 16, 2025
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.
हेरिटेज वास्तू असलेल्या ऐतिहासिक अशा वांद्रे किल्ल्यावर दारूच्या पार्टीला परवानगी कशी काय देण्यात आली? यातून या ऐतिहासिक स्थळाचे पावित्र्य नष्ट करण्याचा उद्देश दिसत आहे.
— Vijay Wadettiwar (@VijayWadettiwar) November 16, 2025
किल्ल्यांचे महत्त्व माहिती असून जर अशा पार्टीला परवानगी दिली असेल तर त्या संबंधित अधिकाऱ्यांवर कारवाई झाली… pic.twitter.com/NwGlrYMesu
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.
बांद्रा किला या उसके परिसर मे जो घटना घटी है,वो दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण गलत और असमर्थनीय है। मा. मुख्यमंत्री जी और मैने स्वयं इसपर जाँच के आदेश दिए हैं। #AshishShelar pic.twitter.com/C7yzzknF7I
— Adv. Ashish Shelar - ॲड. आशिष शेलार (@ShelarAshish) November 18, 2025
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.
वांद्रे किल्ला या ऐतिहासिक हेरिटेज स्थळी दारू पार्टी झाल्याचा व्हिडिओ अत्यंत धक्कादायक आहे.
— Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad) November 18, 2025
या कार्यक्रमाला सांस्कृतिक मंत्र्यांनी हजेरी लावली यातून चुकीचा पायंडा पाडला जात आहे.
वांद्रे किल्ल्यावरील पार्टीचा व्हिडिओ बाहेर आल्यावर आता सांस्कृतिक मंत्री शेलार म्हणत आहेत, पार्टी… pic.twitter.com/wdl6Ssy6ST
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.
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