A controversy has erupted following the victory of newly elected Mumbra councillor Sahar Sheikh of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. Bharatiya Janata Party leaders objected to a portion of her victory speech, after which she faced trolling on social media and police complaints were filed against her.

BJP Member of Parliament Navneet Rana targeted Sahar Sheikh, saying that those who “want to turn everything green should go to Pakistan.” The remark came after Sahar Sheikh stated in her speech that the party would be strengthened further in the coming elections and that “Mumbra would be completely painted green.”

BJP leaders Kirit Somaiya and Niranjan Davkhare have lodged complaints with the police, alleging that Sahar Sheikh’s statement was provocative, capable of inciting communal sentiments, and an attempt to divide society on religious lines.

Responding to the controversy and allegations, Sahar Sheikh said her statement had been misrepresented. She clarified that the reference to “green” was to the party flag of the Majlis and should not be given any religious meaning.

She said that if her party’s flag had been of any other colour, she would have used that colour instead. Sahar Sheikh also asserted that she believes in secular values and is opposed to communal politics.

She further questioned why similar expressions do not lead to controversy when leaders of other political parties, such as the Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal, and Jannayak Janata Party—whose flags are also green—use such language for their respective regions.

Sahar Sheikh won from Ward No. 30 of the Thane Municipal Corporation on a Majlis ticket, defeating candidates supported by both factions of the Nationalist Congress Party. The Kalwa–Mumbra region is considered a stronghold of four-time legislator Jitendra Awhad and has a significant Muslim population.

Following the controversy, reactions both in support of and against Sahar Sheikh continue to pour in, even as political sparring over the issue has intensified.