A Mumbai police notification of traffic diversions from July 12 to 15 for a “public event” has been drawing sharp satire-laced criticism in the virtual world, because the dates coincide with the high-profile wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, in the run-up to which the world has already seen unforgettable sights like Justin Bieber returning to the stage in full chaddi-banyan splendour.

Six days ago, the Mumbai police for the convenience of the city’s residents issued a press note for what the cops described as a “public event” at Bandra Kurla Complex’s Jio World Convention Centre.

The traffic restrictions were imposed on July 5 and will remain in place from July 12 to July 15, with no entries on several roads, while alternate routes have been suggested for the commuters.

“Due to a public event at the Jio World Convention Centre in Bandra Kurla Complex on July 5th & from July 12th to 15th, 2024, the following traffic arrangements will be in place for the smooth flow of traffic,” read the post made by the official account of the Mumbai traffic police, along with the list of roads where traffic has been restricted for almost a week now around the venue Jio World Convention Centre, owned by the Ambanis.

That post has been subjected to a barrage of questions that called out the description of a private wedding as a public event, with many users on X (formerly Twitter) – including those staying far away from Mumbai.

One of the most asked questions was that if it was “a public event”, was the average Mumbaikar allowed to attend it?

Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is among the A-plus-listers invited to the ceremony, which was preceded by a number of pre-wedding ceremonies held in different places and a slew of videos featuring the members of one of India’s – and the world’s – richest families hobnobbing with global celebs ranging from Rihanna to Bieber.

“If it is a public event, can I go inside,” asked an X user, whose handle says he is as Rao Sahab from Gurgaon.

“Asking as public from Mumbai. Since it's a public event, is entry free or entry fee applicable for the public to go and enjoy this so-called public event/spectacle/circus/tamasha ?!,” asked another user, Debjani Basu.

A Delhi-based “political commentator”, who goes by “Luffy” on the social medium, suggested imposing a lockdown. Another handle, purportedly of a doctor, suggested the government should announce July 12 as “National Marriage Diwas”.

“Sir section 144 should be imposed and a curfew should be implemented for the wedding to go smoothly. You are not doing enough,” wrote another user.

Another user reminded of the huge turnout of Mumbaikars at Marine Drive to welcome members of the T20 World Cup-winning team.

“Abhi ek din sadakon par kya utare, ab bhugto bandh sadakon ka mazaa. Ek nahin paanch paanch din [You came out on the streets for a day, now enjoy blocked roads, not for one, but five days],” the user wrote.

A user named Pranav Joshi, who identifies himself as a “geo-political commentator”, wrote: “Welcome to India. A billionaire’s son is getting married, the official handle of Mumbai Traffic Police calls it a public event. Irony is, this public event is not open to Public. It is rightly said, you can get away with anything in India, if you have money.”

A Mumbai-based entrepreneur, Rinku Saini, commented: “Never seen at least 400-500 traffic cops so active at any public event… because of Ambani family marriage, as of now traffic police is so active that BKC has become traffic mukt. If this is the way traffic can be smoothly handled, then request Ambani family to continue public event round the year.”

Another user, Bharat Kumar Ramesh, said it makes sense: “The road is literally owned by his father.”

Another purported Mumbai resident, Rajendra Chaudhary, asked: “Also is it true that Mukesh bhai will pay everyone’s challan from 12th-15th? Non-Jio bikers also. Please confirm.”

Another user asked the Mumbai Traffic Police handle whom to contact to divert traffic for a wedding. Someone else suggested where the leftover food from the ceremony would be sent to was clear from the cops’ post.

It was not all just regular online trolling. One user warned the Mumbai and Maharashtra BJP that this “arrogance” had hit the party in this summer’s Lok Sabha polls.

“This very arrogance made NDA lose 5/6 LS (seats) in Mumbai. People now are supremely conscious of their rights and what’s public and what’s private,” the user wrote. Tagging the BJP and its Maharashtra unit along with the deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the user expressed disappointment with the party and the government. “Never expected this kind of elitism from you. Now don’t say during Congress time…”