Navi Mumbai (The Hindu): About 100 residents of Navi Mumbai marched in protest against the transfer of Tukaram Mundhe in Vashi on Tuesday evening, a day after Dr. N. Ramaswami replaced him as Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner.

Sheetal Saraswat, who organised the protest along with her friends, said, “He was Navi Mumbai’s best commissioner. We want to show our support to Mr. Mundhe and point out the government’s mistake in transferring him. At least 100 people are taking part in our march. We expect more people to join us on the way.” The protesters gathered near Andhra Bank in Vashi Sector 17 and marched to the Navi Mumbai Sports Association ground. As they passed through Arenja Corner, Citibank Circle and MGM Hospital Road, the protesters shouted slogans and held placards that read ‘We want Mundhe back’, ‘Abandon politics, respect honesty’, ‘Bring back honesty, bring back Mundhe’, ‘Navi Mumbai needs Mundhe’, ‘Navi Mumbai wants clean governance’, ‘Stop taking us for granted,’ ‘It’s our city, we decide, we want Mundhe’.

Young, old unite

Age was no bar as five-year-olds marched along with septuagenarians. Aanya Makhiya, 5, Kaashvi Saraswat, 6, said they want the “bad” politicians to bring back Mr. Mundhe. Sachika Chapke, 11, said, “He was our commissioner and we want him to be back. That is why were are marching.” Pramila Kamble, 75, said, “Mr. Mundhe has done a lot of good work here for citizens. I have joined all protests that have been organised in support of Mr. Mundhe. When the no-confidence motion was passed against Mr. Mundhe, I participated in a protest outside Vashi railway station.”

Barkha Punjabi, who works in a school, said, “Mr. Mundhe was the chief guest at the annual day function at the school. We were all in complete awe of him. He had a great vision for our city. We want all that back.”

Sangeeta Mutto, who took part in the protest with husband Vishal and son Sidhant, 11, said, “He was a gem of a person. His ‘Walk with the Commissioner’ initiative gave residents an opportunity to share their problems with him. The e-toilets he started were a boon for women. He made the city cleaner by ensuring segregation of dry and wet waste.”