RJ Malishka Has the Right to Dissent: Vishal Dadlani Takes on Sena

The Sena complained to BMC regarding RJ Malishka’s video which highlights BMC’s inability to tackle monsoon problems

Red FM radio jockey Malishka Mendosa has found herself in the BMC’s bad books. 

[Photo Courtesy: Disney India (L);Facebook/@mymalishka (R)]

93.5 Red FM's radio jockey (RJ) Malishka Mendonsa has drawn the ire of the Shiv Sena regarding a video the radio channel posted, where she takes a dig at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over its inability to tackle problems arising out of monsoons in the city.

In what seems like an unexpected reaction to this complaint, the BMC served a notice to Mendosa's mother, Lily, a day later over facilitating mosquito breeding at their Bandra house in Mumbai.

Music composer and singer, Vishal Dadlani reacted to the notice served to Malishka by Mumbai's civic body, BMC.

Malishka putting her grievances into a song, is her fundamental right as a citizen, and a service to her fellow-citizens. In these bizarre times where dissent is immediately censured and punished, it’s a brave and much-needed effort. I tweeted in her support, today. However, I spoke to friends within both, the Shiv Sena and the BMC today, and they say her song even blames them for matters outside their jurisdiction, such as drainage on railway land. Hence the “defamation” threat. That said, does the “malaria” case they’ve slapped on her, come across as vengeful bullying on the BMC’s part? It certainly does, whether it is or not. Honestly, I hope the BMC takes cognizance of the issues Malishka has spoken of, and serves its people, rather than appearing to churlishly bully them into silence. The cases are silly, they should be withdrawn. The problems are real, they should be solved.

Vishal Dadlani, Music Composer

Watch the video here:

Two members of the Sena's youth wing Yuva Sena – Amey Ghole and Samandhan Sarvankar – had complained to the BMC about the video on Tuesday, which has already garnered more than 11 lakh views on YouTube, asking it to file a Rs 500 crore worth defamation suit against the radio channel.

Citing sources, a Hindustan Times report said the notice, which was served post a "routine inspection" may lead to legal action against the Mendosas.

Here is the copy of the notice sent by the BMC to the Mendosas:

(Photo Courtesy: Sourced by The Quint)

Calling the video an affront to the city as well the BMC, the Sena leader Sarvankar contested that the aspects being purportedly talked about in the video – two highways, the city's traffic and railways – do not fall under the BMC's jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, Ghole was quoted by HT as saying:

The BMC’s legal department will decide what action is best suited in this case. The song has hurt the city’s efforts at attracting foreign investment and global talent...

Social Media Abuzz With Messages of Support

Meanwhile, social media was abuzz with messages of support, as the radio jockey thanked the people for their backing.

Malishka is currently in New York in the US, where she went to attend the IIFA ceremony.