City's first dedicated avian park will house 206 birds, including exotic species

The Maharashtra Urban Development (UD) Department has approved the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) proposal to convert a reserved recreation ground in Nahur, Mulund into a bird park — a first for the city since India's independence.

- Linah Baliga

MUMBAI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray has attacked Mumbai suburban co-guardian minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha over the issue of the Jain temple demolition at Vile Parle on April 15. The BMC's demolition squad turned up at the temple even as prayers were in progress, alleged worshippers. Assistant commissioner Navnath Ghadge, in-charge of K East Ward, under whose watch the drive was undertaken, was transferred following the uproar.

In a tweet on X, Aaditya, directly naming Lodha, maintained that he was "just playing a game". "He himself (is) the co-guardian minister of that district," he said. "Who took action? The BMC, which runs through the Chief Minister's office. Where? In the area of the district where he is the co-custodian minister. So what exactly are they protesting?"

Aaditya said BJP had every right to instruct the BMC not to take action till the case was decided in the courts, and asked why the party did not do so. He added that the party was lying to the Jain community and citizens. "The question is: as usual, the officer was changed, but when will action be taken against the culprits?" he tweeted.