NAPM India: Thousands of Mumbaikars March towards Mantralaya Claiming Dignity and Equal Rights to City

By Dilip -

Mumbai, January 1 : As everyone was greeting happy new year, Mumbai witnessed a storm of working class people under the leadership of Medha Patkar, Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan – NAPM, marchd on the streets for land, housing rights, dignity and an equal right to the city. A renewed struggle against Land Scam involving corrupt builders, illegal demolition and impeachment of housing rights began today when thousands of poor belonging to slums across Mumbai, gathered at Govandi and Golibar to start their long march on foot to demand implementation of Rajeev Awas Yojana as self- development towards right to shelter, and to fight against atrocities faced by them.

The march was flagged off at 1 pm from Ambedkar ground, Govandi by popular cine artist Shri Sadashiv Amrapurkar and other senior activists. Blessings and inspiration were drawn from Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar by paying tribute to them at the commencement of the march. More than 5 thousand people from Manadala, Shivaji Nagar, Sathe, Jai Ambe Nagar, Neta Jinagar, rafiq nagar, adarsh nagar, gurunanak nagar, kamla nagar, shanti nagar bastis started the march. They were later joined by people from bhimchhaya vikroli, parksite vikroli, ramnagar, rambhai colony, mulun, LIC colony, Vaishali bastis.

At the same time, Ram bhau Patil, leader of fishworker community, flagged off the march from Golibar. There also, more than 7000 people from Ganesh kripa society, ambujwadi, rathodi, azmi nagar, Indira nagar, sarvodaya nagar, sandholi, asalfa, juhu galli, moragaon, char bangla bastis marcged and joined those marching from Govandi at Tea Junction. The marchers filled with un-dying energy, showing their belief in the march with tremendous enthusiasm and vigour shouted slogans non- stop demanding their rights. They carried effigies of builders in chains as a sign of protest. Women marched at the forefront since this is not only about housing rights but also for right to security, livelihood and safety.

Various people’s organisations, students and other socially conscious citizens have also joined the march showing their support and solidarity with the struggle. After covering more than 30 kms on foot, the march will halt at Shivaji park, the place for night stay and the march will resume on the morning of 2nd January towards Mantrayala with their demand.
Madhuri Variyath
Kishor Kardak
Jamil bhai
Girija bahen
Sumit Wajale
Prabhakar Narkar
Shilpa Sabale
Mohan Chavan
Madhuri Shivkar
Shabbir Deshmukh
Santosh Thorat
Sandeep Yevale
Kamlesh S S
Siraj
Kamlesh S S
Umar bhai

Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao AndolanJanta Jagruti Manch
National Alliance of Peoples’ MovementsShahar Vikas Manch
Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar Bachao SamitiNagari Niwara Haq Samiti
Waghini SangathanSRA Sangharsh Samiti
Bruhanmumbai Niwara Samanvaya Samiti

Contact:

Madhuri ShivkarMadhuri WariyathSumit WajaleSandeep Yevale
09892143242
09820619174
09967875999
09819307419

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