New Delhi: The Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has withdrawn a controversial order to construct a Jain-only toilet under its jurisdiction after it was left red-faced following fierce criticism of the decision, Hindustan Times reported.On August 12, a public quotation was issued announcing the construction of a toilet meant only for the Jain community. Supposed to come up under a bridge in Prabhag Samiti 01, Bhayander (West), the civic body had earmarked Rs 8 lakh towards the questionable initiative. It was expected to be completed in two months.After several politicians called out the controversial initiative, the commissioner of MBMC, Dilip Dhole, told Hindustan Times that it was a “grave error and the plan now stands cancelled”. However, the newspaper report said that Dhole had initially called it a “non-issue” and sought to know why “much hue and cry was being made needlessly”.“Since the afternoon people are trying to lend this a political colour. A toilet is for public use. When people ask for such rest rooms we comply,” Dhole had said initially.The HT report then goes on to say that it was only after they had sent Dhole a copy of the August 12 order – which contains the details pertaining to the scope of work and that it is meant for the Jain Community only – had he said that it was an error on the part of the civic body.“We have issued instructions this afternoon that the corporation will never construct such toilets dedicated for any community. The notice stands cancelled,” Dhole clarified.On the other hand, city engineer Deepak Khambit told HT that the said toilet was very much planned and there was no case of administrative oversight as such. “The Jain community will construct the toilet on their own or through CSR [corporate social responsibility],” Khambit added.The questionable order has expectedly drawn severe criticism. “No one can construct a toilet for any specific community and if such a thing is happening, we condemn it. We already have our applications pending for new toilets at various locations which we have not been able to prioritise,” the HT report quoted Arun Kadam, a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) worker, as saying.Former mayor of Mira-Bhayander and Shiv Sena leader Jyotsna Hansale said, “These resources are for common people and not for a specific community.”However, Bharatiya Janata Party leader and MLA Geeta Jain, who had earlier served as mayor of Mira-Bhayander, said, “This was not for all Jains but only for Jain Dharma gurus who follow certain rituals. This issue has been completely misunderstood.”