top of page

By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Seventy-six mayors ruled BMC since 1931

After four years, Mumbai to salute its first citizen Kishori Pednekar Vishwanath Mahadeshwar Snehal Ambekar Sunil Prabhu Mumbai: As the date for appointing Mumbai’s First Citizen looms closer, various political parties have adopted tough posturing to foist their own person for the coveted post of Mayor – the ‘face’ of the country’s commercial capital. Ruling Mahayuti allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have vowed that the city...

Seventy-six mayors ruled BMC since 1931

After four years, Mumbai to salute its first citizen Kishori Pednekar Vishwanath Mahadeshwar Snehal Ambekar Sunil Prabhu Mumbai: As the date for appointing Mumbai’s First Citizen looms closer, various political parties have adopted tough posturing to foist their own person for the coveted post of Mayor – the ‘face’ of the country’s commercial capital. Ruling Mahayuti allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena have vowed that the city will get a ‘Hindu Marathi’ person to head India’s richest civic body, while the Opposition Shiv Sena (UBT)-Maharashtra Navnirman Sena also harbour fond hopes of a miracle that could ensure their own person for the post. The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) optimism stems from expectations of possible political permutations-combinations that could develop with a realignment of forces as the Supreme Court is hearing the cases involving the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party this week. Catapulted as the largest single party, the BJP hopes to install a first ever party-man as Mayor, but that may not create history. Way back in 1982-1983, a BJP leader Dr. Prabhakar Pai had served in the top post in Mumbai (then Bombay). Incidentally, Dr. Pai hailed from Udupi district of Karnataka, and his appointment came barely a couple of years after the BJP was formed (1980), capping a distinguished career as a city father, said experts. Originally a Congressman, Dr. Pai later shifted to the Bharatiya Janata Party, then back to Congress briefly, founded the Janata Seva Sangh before immersing himself in social activities. Second Administrator The 2026 Mayoral elections have evoked huge interest not only among Mumbaikars but across the country as it comes after nearly four years since the BMC was governed by an Administrator. This was only the second time in the BMC history that an Administrator was named after April 1984-May 1985. On both occasions, there were election-related issues, the first time the elections got delayed for certain reasons and the second time the polling was put off owing to Ward delimitations and OBC quotas as the matter was pending in the courts. From 1931 till 2022, Mumbai has been lorded over by 76 Mayors, men and women, hailing from various regions, backgrounds, castes and communities. They included Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis, Sikhs, even a Jew, etc., truly reflecting the cosmopolitan personality of the coastal city and India’s financial powerhouse. In 1931-1932, the Mayor was a Parsi, J. B. Boman Behram, and others from his community followed like Khurshed Framji Nariman (after whom Nariman Point is named), E. A. Bandukwala, Minoo Masani, B. N. Karanjia and other bigwigs. There were Muslims like Hoosenally Rahimtoola, Sultan M. Chinoy, the legendary Yusuf Meherally, Dr. A. U. Memon and others. The Christian community got a fair share of Mayors with Joseph A. D’Souza – who was Member of Constituent Assembly representing Bombay Province for writing-approving the Constitution of India, M. U. Mascarenhas, P. A. Dias, Simon C. Fernandes, J. Leon D’Souza, et al. A Jew Elijah Moses (1937-1938) and a Sikh M. H. Bedi (1983-1984), served as Mayors, but post-1985, for the past 40 years, nobody from any minority community occupied the august post. During the silver jubilee year of the post, Sulochana M. Modi became the first woman Mayor of Mumbai (1956), and later with tweaks in the rules, many women ruled in this post – Nirmala Samant-Prabhavalkar (1994-1995), Vishakha Raut (997-1998), Dr. Shubha Raul (March 2007-Nov. 2009), Shraddha Jadhav (Dec. 2009-March 2012), Snehal Ambedkar (Sep. 2014-March 2017). The last incumbent (before the Administrator) was a government nurse, Kishori Pednekar (Nov. 2019-March 2022) - who earned the sobriquet of ‘Florence Nightingale’ of Mumbai - as she flitted around in her full white uniform at the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic, earning the admiration of the citizens. Mumbai Mayor – high-profile post The Mumbai Mayor’s post is considered a crucial step in the political ladder and many went on to become MLAs, MPs, state-central ministers, a Lok Sabha Speaker, Chief Ministers and union ministers. The formidable S. K. Patil was Mayor (1949-1952) and later served in the union cabinets of PMs Jawaharlal Nehru, Lah Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi; Dahyabhai V. Patel (1954-1955) was the son of India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; Manohar Joshi (1976-1977) became the CM of Maharashtra, later union minister and Speaker of Lok Sabha; Chhagan Bhujbal (1985-1986 – 1990-1991) became a Deputy CM.

Indian Green Card Holders Need Not Panic

Updated: Mar 20, 2025

Once seen as a symbol of security, the Green Card now comes with growing uncertainty and scrutiny at U.S. borders.

Indian Green Card Holders

The last few months have not been kind to most immigrants who travelled to the United States of America in search of better prospects. Right from the day President Donald Trump took charge of the USA, he dropped shocking decisions on key issues that seemed no less than surgical strikes. Most Indians who had NRI relatives residing in the USA with legitimate documents were not worried up until now. However, recent media reports claim that Indian Green Card holders are experiencing increasing scrutiny and expulsion threats; experts have pointed out that people who are legally residing in the US and have not engaged in any anti-US activities have nothing to worry about. Mumbai-based Overseas Visa Consultant Karan Gupta said, “Notably, elderly Indian immigrants who divide their time between the U.S. and India have reported heightened inspections and, in some cases, pressure to relinquish their green cards upon re-entry. These actions underscore a shift towards stricter enforcement of residency requirements, challenging the traditional perception of permanent residency as a guarantee of stability.”


What is a green card?

A green card, also known as a permanent resident card, is an identity document that shows a person has permanent residency in the United States. Reports suggest that as of 2023, there are approximately 12.7 million green card holders, with 9 million eligible to become U.S. citizens.


Green card holders can live and work in the U.S. without restrictions, travel internationally, and return to the U.S. without issues. Green card holders can also apply for U.S. citizenship after meeting eligibility requirements. They are eligible for federal benefits, such as Social Security and Medicare. There are various types of green cards like Family-Based Green Cards which cover immediate relatives of U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Employment-based green cards cover foreign workers with specialised skills or education. The Diversity Visa Program is a lottery-based programme for individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S.


Can Green Cards be revoked?

Historically, obtaining a green card has been viewed as achieving stability and security in the U.S. However, recent developments have introduced uncertainties for green card holders. Increased scrutiny at borders, especially for those spending extended periods abroad, has led to situations where individuals are questioned about their residency intentions. Gupta pointed out that even a green card can be revoked under these specific circumstances:

  • Abandonment of Residency: Spending extended periods outside the U.S. without demonstrating intent to maintain permanent residence can be interpreted as abandonment.

  • Criminal Activity: Convictions for certain crimes can lead to deportation and loss of permanent resident status.

  • Fraudulent Activities: Providing false information or engaging in fraud to obtain the green card.

  • Engaging in activities against the US

  • The Revocation Process


The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) sends a notice to the Green Card holder stating the grounds for revocation. The Green Card holder has the opportunity to respond to the notice and provide evidence to refute the grounds for revocation. If the Green Card holder responds, a hearing is scheduled before an immigration judge. The immigration judge makes a final decision on whether to revoke the green card. In case the green card holder loses the argument, the individual loses their permanent resident status and green card. The individual may also be placed in removal proceedings and deported from the USA. The individual may also be rendered ineligible for future immigration benefits, including re-entry into the USA. The individual can appeal the immigration judge's decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). If the BIA upholds the decision, the individual can appeal to a federal court.


Should senior citizens worry?

While Indian-origin Green Card holders do not have to worry, they will certainly have to be careful that they don’t engage in activities that are perceived as being against the US. However, senior citizens who usually spend the harsh winters in India have to be careful because another primary concern that is important to note is whether these individuals have maintained their permanent resident status or have effectively abandoned it by residing outside the U.S. for prolonged periods.


Indians residing in the United States have been under constant pressure since Trump took over, with the fear of their future in the country being jeopardised. From a crackdown on immigrants to birthright citizenship cancellation to now, tightened security and checks on Green Card holders. Indians have been haunted by the fear of being deported any minute despite having a valid visa or a green card that’s supposed to be one step before citizenship. While a President cannot revoke someone’s green card as quick action out of a whim, procedural changes can lead to such revocations. However, interestingly, while people give up hopes to fight it out, Gupta says, “Individuals facing visa revocations or green card cancellations should consider seeking legal counsel.”

Comments

bottom of page