Mumbai: Sanjay Nirupam, a Shiv Sena politician, said on Monday that certain builders conspired to assign Hindu houses to Muslims in two slum redevelopment projects in Mumbai's Jogeshwari region as part of a "housing jihad".
During a press conference, Mr Nirupam said that these developers were aiming to change the city's demographic composition.
"Builders have conspired to give houses belonging to Hindus to Muslims in two slum redevelopment projects in Jogeshwari, a suburb in Mumbai. Through this housing jihad, builders are attempting to alter the city's demographic composition," he said.
Mr Nirupam claimed the number of houses in the Paradise Zone of Jogeshwari-Oshiwara increased from 44 to 95 after redevelopment. All 51 newly added houses are allegedly being allotted to Muslims, PTI reported.
He claimed 30 of these houses have been allotted in the names of the two sons of builder Abdul Gani Kitabullah.
With Muslims purchasing houses previously owned by Hindus, the entire locality has now become Muslim-majority, Mr Nirupam alleged.
In the Shri Shankar Slum Redevelopment Scheme, there were 67 houses, with only six Muslim families. But after redevelopment, the number of houses rose to 123, and the additional units have allegedly been sold to Muslims.
Mr Nirupam claimed that the land previously housed a Ganesh temple and space for a Devi mandap, which have now been removed, and a madrasa set up.