Kandivali Dance Bar Row: Minister Yogesh Kadam’s Family Surrenders Orchestra Licence Amid Political Heat

Mumbai: Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam is once again in the political spotlight as controversy over an alleged illegal dance bar intensifies. Facing sustained pressure from the opposition, Kadam's family has surrendered the orchestra licence for a bar in Kandivali, while retaining licences for operating a restaurant and hotel.

Parab Questions Intent, Calls for Kadam’s Resignation

The move comes after Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction leader and MLC Anil Parab accused Kadam of being linked to the illegal operation of a dance bar named 'Saavali' in Kandivali. Parab questioned the minister’s claim of innocence, stating, “If Kadam is not guilty, why did he surrender the licence? Surrendering it amounts to an admission of guilt. He must resign.”

Minister Denies Involvement, Blames Third Party

Kadam, who earlier denied any wrongdoing, said that the contract with the person illegally running the dance bar had been cancelled. He also clarified that the bar licence was in his mother Jyoti Ramdas Kadam’s name and that he had no involvement in its operation.

However, Parab remained firm in his allegations. “Returning stolen goods does not erase the crime. By surrendering the licence, Kadam has accepted that illegal activities were taking place under its cover,” he said, citing earlier police raids on the bar. He claimed that the Saavali bar was raided in 2023 and again this year, during which 22 bar girls, 22 customers, and four staff members were reportedly detained.

“The permit for this bar is in the name of Kadam’s mother. On one hand, the government claims to support the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme, and on the other hand, women are being forced to dance in bars. This is a mockery of law and order,” said Parab.

Past Raids Cited as Proof of Illegal Operations

On July 29, Parab submitted a set of documents including police panchnamas, video clips, and other evidence to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging immediate action against Kadam. “I pity Devendra Fadnavis. He has all the evidence in front of him now. If he doesn’t sack Kadam, it will send a very wrong message,” Parab warned.

Old Political Rivalry Reignites in New Controversy

The rivalry between Kadam and Parab traces back to their time in the undivided Shiv Sena. Parab, then guardian minister of Ratnagiri district (2019–2022), shared political turf with Ramdas Kadam, Yogesh Kadam’s father and a senior Shiv Sena leader from the same district.