Congress leader and real estate baron from Thane’s Mira Bhayandar is furious about a citizen’s movement that has been simmering in Mira road since 2019. The movement named ‘Haq Hai’ describes itself as a socio-political organization that has been at loggerheads with private schools and hospitals in Mira road for allegedly exploiting the poor by charging exorbitant fees during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Apparently, one of the private hospitals and a school in Naya Nagar in Mira road (known to be founded by the Congress leader) are built on public lands; and, according to a statutory provision, these institutions are supposed to reserve more then 35% of their beds/seats for the economically weaker section. Haq Hai alleges that these institutions are in blatant violation of law as there are no reserved beds or seats for the poor.

Annoyed by the constant protests and confrontation from Haq Hai, the Congress leader allegedly assigned his goons to shut down the office that Haq Hai occupies on rent.  A close aide of the Congress leader has threatened the landlord of the office and asked him to retract his lease agreement with Haq Hai immediately.

Strangely, on the same day, Haq Hai received a notice from the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation’s (MBMC) education department warning Haq Hai of a defamation suit if they continue to protest for better and cheaper access to education. A senior advocate from the region, Mr. Sanjay Pandey opined, “A civic body threatening to file a defamation suit to counter democratic protests is preposterous and unprecedented”.

Convener of Haq Hai, Mr. Sadique Basha has alleged a deeper conspiracy. He says,

“The Congress leader is a political giant in this region. He has been an MLA and a corporator multiple times in the past. His family members have also held public office. However, he has lost most of his political capital over the years. He neglected the citizens and indulged in rampant corruption. Now that we are trying to fight for the poor and getting massive support for it, he feels threatened.

We will keep fighting for the common man even if we are subjected to fascist arm twisting by him.”

At a time when Congress is struggling with its waning influence, its local leaders indulging in suppression of democratic protests and social organizations will certainly add to its woes. Especially, when it has been trying to counter BJP on the same issues of alleged high-handedness and dictatorial policies at both local and national levels.