Magen David Synagogue – the 170-year-old historical structure of the Jewish community in in South Mumbai – has come under controversy after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation issued a stop work notice claiming that the trustees of the synagogue were carrying out repair work without seeking due approval. BMC claimed that the trustees initiated an allegedly ‘unauthorised’ repair work of the structure.
The BMC has told The Indian Express, that they have sought a report from the trustees as the civic officials have not granted any permission to carry out the work in the heritage structure.
“The trustees of the synagogue were carrying out repair works and we have issued them a stop work notice. We did not receive any application from them seeking NOC before going ahead with the repair works. For the time being, they have been asked to submit a report to us by providing the plans of repair works, and all the documents that are with them. After we go through the documents, the next course of action will be decided by us,” an official said.
Located in the densely populated Byculla that houses a substantial population of the members from the Baghdadi Jew community, the synagogue symbolizes their diverse heritage and features distinctive architecture, including a blue facade, large frontal columns, and towering clock tower.
The synagogue’s interiors also feature bright blue paints, fluorescent lights, and a double-height sanctuary with a gallery.
The Synagogue is a grade 2B heritage structure and the state government’s law states that the managers of these properties will have to acquire a consent letter from the BMC before carrying out repair works in any of these structures.
The repair works started last week and the issue was promptly highlighted by restaurateur Moshe Shek.
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“I received messages from our community members from abroad who asked me to check the issue. They had received photos and videos of the building being demolished and had shared the same with me. Following this, I visited the Synagogue on May 18 and was shocked to see that the entire structure was largely pulled down,” Shek told The Indian Express.
He said that at present, the columns and pillars of the property stands completely damaged with the main-staircases being entirely removed.
“I asked one of the workers who was present there about who is executing the work, but the worker ran away. Later the trustees came, they manhandled me and stopped me from taking any photographs and videos,” he added.
Shek said that the next day he wrote a letter to Mumbai’s municipal commissioner and visited the local civic ward office to lodge a complaint. He also filed a complaint at the police station about the trustees manhandling him, following which the authorities prompted into action with BMC issuing a ‘stop-work’ notice.
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“I had grown up in this locality and all my ceremonies had happened in this synagogue. Therefore, it is absolutely appalling to see the structure being pulled out in such an unprofessional manner without informing the community members,” Shek said.
Meanwhile, Solomon Sopher, chairperson of the Sir Jacob Sassoon Charity Trust that manages the Synagogue, refuted the allegations saying that they have carried out only the basic waterproofing works so as to make it ready for restoration work.
“The structure was not at all razed in the manner like how the complainant has described. The synagogue is 170 years old. Keeping in mind the old age and heritage value of the property a decision was made for restoring the project. We were awaiting the necessary permission from the authorities and decided to do some basic waterproofing work to prevent seepage during the rains since monsoon is just 10 days away. At the same time we were hopeful that the permissions would arrive, following which the planned work would be taken up accordingly,” Sopher told The Indian Express.
Speaking to the Indian Express, Samajwadi Party MLA and former corporator from Byculla Rais Shaikh said, “This event needs to be scrutinised by the highest of the civic administration level. Earlier also I had received complaints that the Synagogue was being leased out for social events like marriage due to which the sewer lines were getting choked due to improper usage. These things need to be looked into thoroughly by the administration,”
