Still Waiting for guaranteed Assurance from Government
Notice to Demolish Ganpat Patil Nagar Served, People Determined to Fight
Mumbai, 9th : On the 5th day of the relay fast by representatives of poor and lower middle class localities, the Andolan completed 9 days of agitation to demand a dignified right to shelter for more than 60% of Mumbai’s population that lives in slums and is deprived of the very basic amenities that are required to lead to a dignified life.
After having sent the comments, along with recommendations and suggestions, on the minutes received from Mantralaya, people await the next response from the Government. Meanwhile, delegations are continuously meeting officials of different departments to put forth the issues and their demands. Today, meetings were held with the Principal Secretary, Housing as well as with the Municipal Commissioner who gave a patient hearing to the presentations of the delegates and agreed to most of the demands verbally, however, the Andolan demands written time-bound guaranteed commitments on different issues.
Even though the officials, including the CM categorically agree to the rightful demands of the people, notices are still being served to demolish houses of thousands living in slums. On 7th January, notice to demolish Ganpat Patil Nagar in Dahisar was served and it is to begin tomorrow. During our meeting yesterday, the Municipal Commissioner had said that only those housed will be demolished that are vacant or available for sale. However, changing his stand today, he said that all those houses that are coming in the radius of 50 meter of the Mangroves will be demolished, which will destroy almost 4500 houses. People, on the other hand, are determined to fight for their homes and livelihood till their last breath.
Support from the civil society as well as others is strengthening the Andolan with each passing day. Shri Asghar Ali Engineer from Centre for Study and Society and Secularism, Shri Somaiya T. R. K from Mumbai Sarvodaya Mandal, Shri. Yatish Mehta from Ekta Parishad, Shri Ulhas Rathod from Indian Environment Movement, Shri. Virendra Kumar from Forum Against Commercialisation came out in support of the Andolan. Shri Anand Ambedkar from Bhim Sena also came to support the Andolan.
The famous documentary maker and supporter of the Andolan, Shri Anand Patwardhar showed “humara shahar” which deals with the whole issue of demolition and its effects. Before showing it, Anand decided to have a showing of Sion Koliwada’s short satirical film on their fight against builder’s Sahana Developers which was made by the residents themselves, which had the crowd in raptures. He also showed his work in progress film, on the fight for the right to education in Mandala.
Medha Patkar, Jamil bhai, Madhuri Shivkar, Madhuri Variyath, Sumit Wajale, Santosh Thorat, Sandeep Yevale, Kishor Kardak, Girija Bahen, Prabhakar Narkar, Shilpa Sabale, Kamlesh S S, Siraj, Umar bhai,
Organised by : Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan, Janta Jagruti Manch, Shahar Vikas Manch, Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar Bachao Samiti, Nagari Niwara Haq Samiti, Waghini Sangathan, SRA Sangharsh Samiti, Bruhanmumbai Niwara Samanvaya Samiti
Affiliates of National Alliance of Peoples’ Movements
Contact: Madhuri Shivkar 09892143242 | Madhuri Wariyath 09820619174 | Sumit Wajale 09967875999 | Sandeep Yevale 09819307419