Mumbra: Sahar Shaikh, the newly elected AIMIM corporator from Mumbra, has been targeted in a hate campaign following her victory speech. BJP leader Navneet Rana accused Shaikh of making communal remarks, telling those who want to “turn everything green” to “go to Pakistan.” Social media abuse quickly followed, with BJP leaders Kirit Somaiya and Niranjan Davkhare filing police complaints against her for allegedly promoting communal politics.
Shaikh, one of the youngest corporators elected from the area, clarified that her remarks were misrepresented. She stated that the “green” she mentioned referred to the AIMIM party flag and had no religious connotation. She emphasized her secular stance and urged people to stop communalising politics.
During her speech, Shaikh said, “Even in the next municipal elections after five years inshallah we have to give them an even stronger message, and all candidates should be from AIMIM. Mumbra must be completely painted green.” She questioned the selective outrage, pointing out that other parties with green flags, such as JDU, RJD, and JJP, are not criticised for similar statements.
Shaikh won Ward No. 30 in the Thane Municipal Corporation elections on an AIMIM ticket, defeating candidates backed by rival Nationalist Congress Party factions. The Kalwa–Mumbra belt, where she secured her victory, is a stronghold of four-time local MLA Jitendra Awhad and has a dominant Muslim population.
Her victory and subsequent backlash have sparked debate about the politicisation of communal identity and social media campaigns targeting Muslim leaders.
