Industrialist says BMC has promised to find substitute ground to make up for open space taken over by museum extension.Industrialist and a principal patron of Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Niraj Bajaj, said the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation has pledged Rs 20-crore to aid the institution’s expansion plans. He told Mumbai Mirror on Thursday that the recent action by the MNS, which forced the cancellation of Lakme Fashion Week’s final show at the establishment, was “unfortunate” and a “setback for the reputation of Mumbai”.The philanthropist also said the BMC has assured museum authorities that its expansion project, which the MNS has opposed because it entails the cannibalisation of a playground adjacent to the institution, will go ahead as planned.“Over a meeting last month, mayor Snehal Ambekar, who has been very supportive, and municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte, promised they are committed to finding an alternative playground next to it,” he said. “The BMC will find a solution very soon.”Niraj, his wife Minal, and brother Rahul, who heads the Bajaj Group, are trustees of the museum, representing the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, which provides philanthropic aid to the cultural institution. Niraj is the chairman and managing director of Mukand Limited, which is a part of the group.The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, led by Raj Thackeray, is vociferously opposed to BDL’s expansion plan, claiming it will cannibalise a playground that serves as the sole open plot for public use in space-starved Byculla.On March 22, MNS threatened to storm the final show of the Fashion Week, featuring collections by Anamika Khanna, Rohit Bal and Narendra Kumar, among other designers, claiming the event was “against Indian culture” and took place “without necessary permissions and approvals being granted”. The show was moved to a Lower Parel hotel.“Something that was in a dilapidated condition 12 years ago has been transformed into one of the top museums in India. To have become such a vibrant place is something Mumbai city should be happy about and proud of,” Niraj said. “Obviously, if there’s any kind of setback, it is unfortunate. Top fashion shows take place at museums around the world; an event like that would have brought more awareness for the museum and raised funds for it. There was nothing negative, or obscene. One should give credit to Tasneem (Mehta, honorary director and managing trustee of BDL) for bringing it to the museum. To cancel it last minute and move the show, according to me, is sad for the reputation of the city.”The protests began last December, when museum authorities announced the addition of a new wing, designed by American architect Steven Holl. MNS claimed the expansion would eat into a large ground that abuts BDL.“We are all concerned about the children’s playground, there’s no disagreement on that,” Niraj said, adding that the existing open space would be transformed into a landscaped garden for kids. The museum as well as the playground, he maintained, is and will continue to be owned by the corporation. “I am only part of the autonomous trust; I do not have a locus standi in the corporation. It’s their land. We can’t make decisions,” he said.BMC sources told Mumbai Mirror that the corporation was looking to carve out a playground in a nearby plot that has been recently handed over to the zoo, which is located in the BDL compound.Those protesting against the expansion, including Thackeray, have said “the fight is not against the museum, but for the open space,” Bajaj argued. “We can’t overreach. Whatever the commissioner and mayor will tell us, we’ll do. I think a lot has been explained by the commissioner to the corporators. I do agree that a lot of these misunderstandings have occurred because of lack of awareness; the effort is on to explain what is being planned.”“Most people,” he added, “starting with Uddhavji (Thackeray, Shiv Sena chief), have been extremely supportive from the beginning, and so have the mayor, commissioner and corporation. They own the place.”Restoration and maintenance of the museum is being carried out under a tripartite agreement between the BMC, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (chaired by Mehta) and the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation. “The transformation of the museum is a miracle. Millions have enjoyed its revitalisation,” Niraj said. “If the expansion happens the way he (Steven Holl) has dreamt, it will be one of the top tourist attractions in Mumbai. Visit any major city in the world, there is so much of art and culture, which adds to their tourism.”The industrialist denied the museum has become a victim in a politically volatile atmosphere. “Everybody has supported the expansion. That one event had to be shifted out is unfortunate. The expansion must happen. And it will happen. We have support from everybody, all the parties in the city corporation,” he said. “There are some disgruntled elements and these things happen in a democracy. Nobody is doing anything for themselves; it is all for the public good and for the city.”