BMC Faces The Heat For Alleged Nod To Beach Rescue Robots From Turkey Amid Tensions With India
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In a strongly worded letter to the Mumbai municipal commissioner, BJP leader Bhalchandra Shirsat questioned the need to engage in business with a country that supports Pakistan
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has come under fire for reportedly awarding a contract to a Turkish company to supply robotic life-saving equipment for deployment at Mumbai's popular beaches.
BJP leader Bhalchandra Shirsat has written a strongly worded letter to the Mumbai municipal commissioner, demanding the immediate cancellation of the tender. He questioned why Mumbai's civic body would engage in business with a country that has openly supported Pakistan during times of conflict.
The letter follows reports in media which revealed that BMC had floated a tender for robotic rescue systems that look like surfing boards and that a Turkish firm had qualified and received the work order. Shirsat's letter stated, 'When the entire country is boycotting Turkish products, what world is the BMC living in?" He also warned of widespread public protests if the civic body fails to cancel the contract.
Speaking to News18, Shirsat said: 'We will not tolerate such a thing by BMC. We warn the authorities to respect public sentiment about the issue and immediately withdraw the tender given to the Turkish company."
The protest taps into growing public sentiment against Turkey, which has been building over the past few weeks. The tension stems from Turkey's vocal support for Pakistan after India's Operation Sindoor. In response, many Indian citizens have called for a boycott of Turkish goods and tourism. Tour operators have reported cancellations of trips to Turkey, and several business groups have reduced or stopped importing Turkish-made products.
For many Mumbaikars, the concern isn't merely about the equipment but about national sentiment. 'It's not about the robots. It's about principle," said a senior resident from Girgaon.
While the BMC has not officially responded to the controversy, the issue is rapidly gaining traction on social media and among citizen groups. Although the civic body's move may have been intended to upgrade beach safety with modern technology, the political undertones have now taken centre stage.
First Published:
May 24, 2025, 10:15 IST
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