Update 2 : Citizens Delegation Meets CM | Discussions Inconclusive
May 24, Mumbai : Today Medha Patkar’s indefenite fast entered 5th day and Syed Zuberi in Mumbai joined her side on indefinite fast. Five other basti dwellers continue to do relay fast everyday for a day. In the evening a citizens delegation consisting of Justice (Retd) Hospet Suresh, Anand Patwardhan, Ashok and Chhaya Datar, Neerja Gupte, Dr. Mirjakar met the Chief Minister along with other officials for nearly 45 minutes. The delegation questioned and appealed to the government to initiate dialogue on issues and demands raised by the urban communities struggling for their human and lawful rights guaranteed in constitution. CM accepted the need for the review of 3K as well as SRA scheme and proposed to stop demolitions of Ganesh Krupa Society for next 15 days and also appoint a committee to review the documents. For other issues it was proposed to be taken up in due process and towards logical end agreeing with the basic framework and people’s perspectives.
Later, Collector along with Deputy Collector in–charge for the demolitions at Golibar came to the site of dharna and fast and had a dialogue with Medha Patkar and other fasting persons amidst more than 1,000 people coming from various societies and communities. It was a serious yet strong dialogue with people who exhibited sample of documents exposing the frauds and corruption in housing schemes and emphasised their right to shelter and housing. They also expressed and condemned the atrocities on them and land grab with the massive misappropriation of funds. They emphasised that whether those schemes are from Central government or state government or Unitech, the builders in this case, the illegalities in receiving sanctions as well as transfer of plans by the unholy nexus of bureaucrats, politicians and builders continue unabated.
Sanctions granted to Shivalik Ventures or Satyen Kunda of Guru Nanak Nagar or Shakti Developers of Sion Koliwari and others have already been exposed by people and activists, and has proved the rationality of their demands which they must stick to.
It was concluded and conveyed by Medha Patkar and others to the Collector that the proposal is absolutely inadequate and a result of no serious and in-depth dialogue with representatives of movements, even when they have been submitting memorandum, alternatives, proposals as well as held dialogues whenever possible.
Medha Patkar, Syed Zuberi and others decided to continue their fast and also conveyed that with no solution or resolve to save people’s lives and death of the lakhs of people in Mumbai, the movement will only be intensified and not withdrawn.
Meanwhile, apart from Delhi and Aurangabad programmes were also held in Pune and Solapur in front of the Collectorate in support of the dharna and fast in Mumbai.
Prerna Gaekwad, Santosh Daundkar, Deven Nair, Simpreet Singh
For details contact : Madhuresh Kumar (9818905316) | Mukta Srivastava 9969530060