The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Maharashtra government demanding a comprehensive report on a contentious real estate project in Neral, around 100 km from Mumbai.
The project, promoted as a “Halal Lifestyle Township,” has stirred sharp political debate after a video advertisement went viral on social media. The NHRC notice follows growing concerns that the marketing of the township is being carried out on explicitly religious lines.
The video was shared by NHRC member and former National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chairperson Priyank Kanoongo, who drew attention to its communal undertones.
In the promotional clip, a woman in a hijab endorses the township as an “authentic community living” initiative where “like-minded families” could raise children “safely in a Halal environment.”
The video also showcased facilities such as prayer spaces, dedicated areas for community gatherings, and lifestyle amenities designed to cater to residents within walking distance.
Kanoongo sharply criticised the project, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “This is not advertisement but poison distribution. In the Karjat area near Mumbai, a township with halal lifestyle is being built exclusively for those of the Muslim faith. This is a Nation Within The Nation, and the Maharashtra government is being issued a notice.”
The issue has quickly snowballed into a political flashpoint.
Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) spokesperson Krishna Hegde condemned the advertisement, questioning its purpose and calling for the withdrawal of the video. He also demanded that the state government initiate an inquiry into the township’s promotional campaign.
BJP spokesperson Ajit Chavan took an even stronger stance, alleging that the project was part of a “Ghazwa-e-Hind” strategy.
He said such initiatives were unacceptable in Maharashtra, terming them a “direct challenge to the Constitution.”
Chavan demanded that the developers face strict action for allegedly violating constitutional principles by marketing the township on religious grounds.
Meanwhile, political opposition to the project continues to mount, with parties calling for accountability and transparency in the township’s development and marketing strategies.
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