BJP corporator clashes with media

Mumbai: The BJP’s nominated corporator from Dahisar, Ganesh Khankar, on Thursday allegedly had a scuffle with electronic media representatives while his supporters snatched a female journalist’s mobile phone at Bal Bhavan, Charni Road, after completion of a hearing conducted by B.B. Chavan, deputy director, education, and member of Mumbai’s district fee regulation committee (DFRC). The hearing pertained to the recent expulsion of over 20 students by Dahisar’s Universal School after their parents refused to comply with the fee hike and deemed it illegal.

The scuffle occurred when Khankar was trying to give quotes to the media at a time when concerned parents were reluctant to speak. Marine Drive police station’s senior inspector Vilas Gnagawane, who arrived at the spot, intervened to calm down the corporator and media representatives.

Electronic media correspondent Uday Jadhav, who allegedly got pushed by Khankar, told The Asian Age, “I requested the parents to give bytes not the corporator. Why would I be taking his version when his kids are not studying in that school! I did not express my willingness to take his byte which is why he got angry and started shouting at me for no reason.”

Another female TV journalist said, “I approached the parents not the corporator. Why did he come in front of the camera when he was no way related.  He even snatched a female journalist’s mobile.”

When contacted, Khankar said, “Being the corporator, I am helping parents. I have nothing to do with the media neither am I interested in giving any bytes.”