Mumbai: BMC shuts weekend expo at Juhu hotel after traders raise stink

Civic officials closed the exhibition on Sunday morning

As the state government has not yet allowed non-essential shops to remain open and socio-cultural gatherings to be held on weekends, Juhu-based JW Marriott Hotel was made to call off an exhibition, which included more than 60 brands from across the country, after the Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association (FRTWA) wrote to the BMC about the illegal event.

President of FRTWA, Viren Shah wrote a letter to BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday evening and provided details of the exhibition that was supposed to be held on Sunday.

A policeman asks a man to shut his shop during lockdown in May, at Ghatkopar. File pic

Speaking to mid-day, Shah said, "We saw an advertisement about the exhibition in the papers. Juhu-based shopkeepers were very angry as they are not being allowed to keep shops open on weekends while the BMC is allowing a 5-star hotel to conduct exhibitions."

After watching a video of the preparations of the exhibition, BMC K-West ward Assistant Commissioner, Vishwas Mote rushed to the hotel and closed the exhibition with help from the police.

Speaking to mid-day, Mote said, "The organiser had not taken permission from the civic body. This is why the exhibition was shut down." However, the BMC had received information that fashion designer Archana Kochhar and BJP leader and fashion designer Shaina NC were part of the exhibition.

Viren Shah, president, Retail Traders Welfare Association raised the issue with the BMC and CM on Saturday evening

When contacted, Kochhar said, "I was not involved in the exhibition. Most of the time organisers take our names for marketing purposes. Till Friday my name was included in the exhibition but later they removed it and included Shaina NC. I was informed that due to some issues the exhibition got cancelled."

However, Shaina NC said, "My name was in the advertisement but I didn't go there. I understand the feelings of the shopkeepers as they are not getting any relief."

A worker at the exhibition said, "Due to increasing crowds at the exhibition, it was closed. I can't provide more details on the phone." "It was organised without the BMC's permission. Further action is being initiated against the organiser as well as the hotel," added Mote.

mid-day tried to reach out to the hotel for a comment, but there was no response till the time of going to press.