Ritu Tawde

Ritu Tawde is an Indian politician currently serving as the Mayor of Mumbai, a position she assumed in February 2026 following the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. A senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, she previously served as a long-term corporator representing Ghatkopar and chaired the BMC Education Committee. Tawde is known for her assertive political style and has prioritized urban transformation and monsoon preparedness. In 2026, she gained national attention for advocating a statewide ban on stand-up comedy shows, a stance that drew significant criticism from civil liberties groups and political opponents who labeled it an assault on free speech.