By Yogesh Maitreya, TwoCircles.net
Mumbai: Kishor Jagtap is on fast again. The eminent activist and senior social worker from Mumbai, known for his history of similar fasts for other reasons, has embarked on an indefinite fast, again, this time from June 1 to demand proper rehabilitation of over 200 families displaced by BMC right when the fierce monsoon has hit the city.
Jagtap, who is also actively involved into anti-caste movement, is fasting at Azad Maidan here. Neighbours sit in a relay fast with him as all of them protest what they call is illegal demolition of Bogada Chawl in Parel, one of the heartland of Shiv Sena’s political activity. The locality is densely populated with Marathi-speaking population of mixed caste and communities.
Jagtap told TwoCircles.net, “There is no state of rule and law here. 79 (A) GR of government that should be followed in such conditions regarding redevelopment or demolition, was not followed by the authorities. The builder which was appointed to carry the work of redevelopment of Bogada Chawl is a fraudulent person and had criminal record; hence no resident from Bogada Chawl can trust him. Also in the entire procedure, during this process of demolition, there are lots of evidences of forging of documents and we have record of almost all of it.”
Jagtap had earlier embarked on a similar fast on April 30. But after intervention from political parties, including Shiv Sena leaders, which promised lot of things, he broke his fast on May 16. But when things didn’t turn out as promised by the leaders, he started again on June 1.
Chandrashekhar Bhujwalkar, one of the residents of Bogada Chawl, who is currently staying at a friend’s place (after the family was rendered homeless because of the demolition), said: “We have two demands. One is that we should be given a PAP (Project Affected Persons) status. Rehabilitation should be done in Parel only. This is where we have been staying for four generation. But you see the government’s mind set: we have been asked to go to Mahul in Chembur, an area polluted by industry and not a liveable place.”
Doubting the government’s intention, another resident Ramachandra Dudam said, “Our chawl was declared dilapidated by the BMC and demolished. The notice for demolition was served on March 5, 2015 and the building was demolished on March 26, 2105. How can we trust the intention of the government in rehabilitating us?”
All the residents from Bogada Chawl are currently displaced and some of them are staying with relatives or friends while still some are literally on the footpath. “How long can we live like this? We have families, children and also senior citizens. This is happening in the time of Shiv Sena supported government. Parel has a large chunk of Marathi population and you can see the condition of Marathi Manus now. Almost 99% people in Bogada Chawl are Marathi speaking and of mixed caste and communities,” said Bhujwalkar.
The issue has acquired lot of attention of the political lobby: with politicians, social workers and activists making a beeline to visit Jagtap and others. Leaders from almost all parties – the RPI (A), BJP, Congress, CPI, CPI(ML), BHARIP, Shiv Sena, NCP, etc. – have visited Jagtap at his fast venue at Azad Maidan and tried to consolidate their respective political strength.
Yet, since the day his first started on April 30, it has been over 50 days, nothing has changed. The heavy monsoon has been lashing the city for last two days leaving these residents finding it hard to live with no roof on their heads.