BMC must pull down illegal lingerie mannequins: Sena

Shiv Sena wants the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to take action against unauthorised mannequins that display women’s lingerie in the city. Sena corporator and Law Committee chairperson Sheetal Mhatre has ordered the administration to crack down on unauthorised mannequins in the city in the next 15 days.

In 2013, Shiv Sena corporator Ritu Tawde, among others, made national news for demanding the removal of mannequins in lingerie shops in the city. Then too, the administration had informed them that there is no such provision in the MMC Act. There is such a provision in the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 but only a gazetted officer can take such an action.

During a discussion on another BMC note in Monday’s Law Committee meeting, Ms.Mhatre directed the administration to take action that is under its ambit. BMC can remove unauthorised hawkers selling lingerie or those selling it by encroaching on space outside their designated space. The action is similar to that taken on unauthorised hawkers.

“There are places in the city where mannequin busts are hanging on tree branches with lingerie on them. This is very embarrassing for women. There is no need to advertise lingerie as women know where to buy it. Besides, mannequins require separate permission. We have directed the administration to take action against them in the next 15 days. They have not been taking any action,” said Ms. Mhatre. She also wants to pursue a change in the law with the State government and give powers to the BMC.

The Licence Department said they can only take action similar to unauthorised hawking and nothing more.

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