Mumbai’s Mahim locality have announced a peaceful protest on August 15 to oppose the closure of a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) school that has served the community for over five decades. The group will hoist the national flag within the premises of the shut-down school as a mark of symbolic defiance and commitment to preserving the local educational institution.
The school, located on New Mahim Road, was declared unsafe and vacated by the BMC in June 2025 after being reclassified from a C-2 (repairable) to C-1 (dilapidated) structure within a span of six months. The sudden change in structural status has raised suspicions among local citizens, especially since earlier reports had recommended only partial repairs and a second audit for confirmation. According to residents, the school had undergone its last round of repairs in 2017 and was actively functioning until early this year. They argue that no alternative school has been constructed in the vicinity, and the relocation of students to other institutions has not been supported with adequate infrastructure. With the demolition of another school on Mori Road in 2019 still pending reconstruction, families in Mahim fear a long-term loss of access to affordable public education.
An official from a citizen advocacy group stated that internal BMC correspondence accessed through RTI filings had recommended third-floor repairs as recently as November 2024. However, no clear action was taken to initiate them. “There is ambiguity in the civic body’s handling of this case. If there is genuine intent to ensure education for all, demolishing schools without rebuilding them cannot be the way forward,” the official added. Concerned residents argue that the decision reflects a deeper urban planning flaw, where public assets are either neglected or repurposed without community consultation. The symbolic flag-hoisting on Independence Day is aimed at drawing attention to this larger issue while reinforcing their demand for a fresh structural audit and restoration of the school.
Education officials from the BMC remained unavailable for comment despite repeated outreach attempts. As Mumbai continues to grapple with space constraints and growing educational demands, the future of the Mahim school is quickly becoming a litmus test for the city’s commitment to inclusive development. For many in the neighbourhood, this protest is not merely about a building—it is about retaining the right to quality education within walking distance of their homes.
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