Tawde questions previous leadership on illegal Bangladeshi's; Aaditya reacts

A political row on Friday broke out on the issue of illegal Bangladeshis in Mumbai with Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde questioning the previous leadership in the city civic body and Shiv Sena UBT MLA Aaditya Thackeray reacting to itThe exchange comes amid recent civic action and statements regarding the identification and deportation of foreign nationals living illegally in MumbaiTawde questioned why the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC had failed to act earlier against alleged illegal Bangladeshi residents despite BJP leader Kirit Somaiya having submitted evidence and information to the authoritiesShe said that necessary steps must be taken to verify documents and ensure that those staying illegally in the city face action as per the lawResponding to it Aaditya Thackeray said he welcomed the move to deport illegal Bangladeshi nationals However he questioned how they were allowed to enter the country in the first placeIn a post on his social media handle X Aaditya Thackeray stated that if infiltration had taken place it pointed to a failure of both the central and state governments which are led by the BJP He said the responsibility for border security and preventing illegal entry lies with the Government of India and the state administrationHow illegal migrants entered MumbaiHe argued that if large numbers of illegal migrants had entered Mumbai it reflected a serious lapse in governanceThe issue has added to ongoing tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition Shiv Sena UBT in Maharashtra While both sides appear to agree on deporting illegal residents they differ sharply on who should be held accountable for their alleged presence in MumbaiHe further wrote that while the newly elected Mumbai mayor appeared focused on the issue of alleged Bangladeshi infiltrators pressing civic problems in the city were being ignoredHe listed concerns such as dugup roads uncollected garbage poor condition of footpaths encroachment on open spaces by developers and polluted air and water hellipmdash Aaditya Thackeray AUThackeray February 13 2026Questions on border securityThackeray argued that issues related to illegal immigration fall under the jurisdiction of the Union and State Home Ministries not the municipal corporationHe questioned how alleged Bangladeshi nationals could have entered India illegally and travelled across BJPruled states to reach Mumbai He also asked how they had managed to stay in the country for several years despite the BJP being in power at the Centre for over a decadeMayor orders seizure of 237 fake birth certificatesMumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde on Friday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporationrsquos BMC health department to seize 237 fake birth certificates issued to illegal residents within one month officials saidThey said that she also announced that the city will carry out strict checks on birth certificates held by hawkers especially those believed to be illegal foreign residentsTawde held a press conference following the meeting in which she revealed that action will be taken against those involved in issuing fake documentsIn an official statement the Mumbai civic body said that the Deputy Municipal Commissioner of Public Health Sharad Ughade said that all 237 certificates have been cancelled on the official portalHowever Tawde said criminal cases will be filed against the doctors and health officials who issued these fake certificatesSo far eight people have been charged and action against the remaining officials will begin from Monday the statement saidShe also demanded a fresh investigation into cases where birth certificates were issued after a delay of 21 daysTwo medical officers have already been suspended and further action is expected against others The mayor stated that all documents issued after January 1 2016 will be thoroughly reviewed officials said