Ritu Tawde, the newly appointed mayor of Mumbai, has issued a stern warning regarding the issuance of fraudulent birth certificates within the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Following a high-level meeting on Friday, she made it clear that the BMC administration will not tolerate 'illegal Bangladeshis' or the agents and officials who assist them.

During a press briefing after the meeting, Tawde revealed that a total of 237 fake birth certificates issued by BMC officials have been annulled. However, the original documents are still in the possession of the beneficiaries and need to be recovered.

She stated that officials assured her that these documents would be retrieved within a month, but she has instructed them to complete the seizure process within just 15 days. Tawde warned that if officials fail to fulfill their duties, a proposal for strict action against them will be initiated.

Tawde mentioned that eight First Information Reports (FIRs) have already been filed concerning the illegal issuance of birth certificates, and further actions are underway. Two medical officers from the health department have already been suspended, and the investigation will continue.

She also noted that her party colleague and former Lok Sabha member Kirit Somaiya has long raised concerns about this issue, presenting documents and complaints regarding widespread irregularities in the issuance of birth certificates at the ward level, but no action had been taken previously.

Tawde emphasized that now, with the BJP in power at the BMC, serious matters will not be overlooked.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray criticized Tawde, suggesting that her focus seems to be solely on illegal Bangladeshi residents rather than on issues affecting citizens. He argued that addressing the presence of illegal Bangladeshis is the responsibility of the central home ministry and the home department.

Thackeray accused both the central and state governments of failing to manage the significant influx of Bangladeshis, asserting that this reflects the BJP-led central government's complete failure in matters of national security.