Ashok Shelke, a senior BJP figure in the Vasai‑Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC), publicly urged the body on Thursday to deny all Ganeshotsav festival contracts to contractors who do not identify as Hindu. Shelke’s remarks came during a meeting of the corporation’s works committee, where he argued that the religious significance of the festival warrants exclusive participation by Hindu firms.
Ganeshotsav, a city‑wide celebration of the elephant‑headed deity Ganesha, is one of the largest public festivals in Maharashtra. The VVCMC traditionally commissions a range of services for the event, including idol fabrication, lighting, sound, and crowd‑control infrastructure, through competitive tendering. These contracts are valued in the tens of crores and are normally awarded to firms that meet technical and financial criteria, irrespective of the owners’ faith.
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Shelke’s demand reflects a broader narrative within the party that seeks to align public cultural projects with the religious identity of the majority community. He cited past instances where non‑Hindu contractors were involved in other religious festivals, claiming that such participation dilutes the sanctity of the celebrations. Critics argue that the stance could set a precedent for communal discrimination in public procurement.
Commissioner Prithviraj, the senior administrative officer of VVCMC, responded that all contracts will continue to be awarded “as per the law.” He reiterated that the corporation is bound by the Maharashtra Public Procurement Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, or creed. Prithviraj indicated that any deviation would invite legal scrutiny and could be challenged in court.
Civil society groups and industry bodies have already voiced concern over Shelke’s statements. The Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce warned that singling out contractors on religious grounds could deter investment and invite litigation. Meanwhile, legal experts note that the Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the principle that government contracts must be awarded on merit, not faith, and that any breach could result in the annulment of the tender process.
