In a significant show of public dissent, the residents of Dharavi organized a “Yalgar Morcha” (Protest March) on Monday to oppose the classification of residents as “ineligible” for rehabilitation and their potential displacement from the area. The protest, backed by several prominent political leaders and community representatives, aimed to challenge the current redevelopment framework overseen by the Adani Group.
The “Jan Akrosh Morcha,” organized under the banner of the Dharavi Bachao Andolan, commenced at 11:30 AM from Kumbharwada Naka. The procession moved through 90 Feet Road, crossing Sahil Hotel, where it culminated.
Following the march, a high-level delegation met with Dr. Mahendra Kalyankar, the Executive Officer of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA). The delegation included high-profile leaders such as:
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Ambadas Danve (Leader of Opposition, Maharashtra Legislative Council)
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Anil Desai (Shiv Sena MP)
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Varsha Gaikwad (Congress MP)
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Jyoti Gaikwad (Local Congress MLA)
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Mahesh Sawant (Shiv Sena MLA)
Core Demands of the Residents
The protesters submitted a memorandum outlining nine critical demands to ensure the fair treatment of Dharavi’s residents:
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Eligibility: The government must abolish the “eligible/ineligible” distinction. Approximately 120,000 hutments across all six sectors of Dharavi should be declared eligible. The Government Resolution (GR) dated October 4, 2024, must be cancelled.
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Housing Specifications: Every resident should be provided with a 500-square-foot home within Dharavi. For those currently occupying larger spaces (such as chawls or BMC land) exceeding 500 or 750 square feet, they must be allotted equivalent space.
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Economic Protection: Shops, small-scale factories, and industries should be accommodated within a designated Economic Zone inside Dharavi.
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Preservation of Institutions: All religious sites (Temples, Mosques, Churches), schools, colleges, hospitals, and grounds must be relocated to appropriate designated areas within Dharavi before redevelopment proceeds.
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Tax Exemptions: All residents should be exempt from property taxes and society maintenance charges for a period of 20 years.
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Extension of Cut-off Dates: The rigid eligibility deadline of December 31, 1999, should be scrapped. Protesters demand a new cut-off of 2011, consistent with other slum redevelopment projects in Mumbai.
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Recognition of Transfer Deeds: In cases where the original owner has sold the hutment, the Transfer Deed should be recognized as a valid legal document for eligibility.
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Rejection of Previous Surveys: The residents officially rejected a previous survey conducted by “TATA-Dharavi,” claiming it was fraudulent and wrongly rendered 85% of residents ineligible.
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Fresh Survey Requirements: A new survey should be conducted by the BMC or the Collector’s office. Crucially, the survey should focus on the physical structure first; document verification should only occur after the structure is deemed eligible.
Note: The protest saw participation from a wide coalition of parties including Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, CPI, CPI(M), Samajwadi Party, and the Dharavi Businessmen’s Association, signaling a unified front against the current redevelopment terms.
