Residents of Dharavi Protest Against Unsanitary Conditions in Mumbai's Overcrowded Slum
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On February 15, residents of Dharavi protested against unsanitary conditions affecting their lives. Over 5,000 people rallied for clean water, sanitation, and better living standards, holding local politicians accountable for neglect. They vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met.
Key Takeaways
- Protesters demand urgent action for clean water and sanitation.
- Over 5,000 residents participated in the demonstration.
- Local politician Varsha Eknath Gaikwad was targeted for accountability.
- Residents expressed their frustrations over the living conditions.
- The protest is not politically aligned but focused on community issues.
Mumbai, Feb 15 (NationPress) Thousands of residents from Dharavi took to the streets on Saturday to protest against the unsanitary and deplorable conditions in the city’s densely populated slum.
The demonstrators raised their voices regarding the lack of clean water, inadequate sanitation, and the overall unhygienic state of Asia’s largest slum, while also chanting slogans directed at local public representative Varsha Eknath Gaikwad.
They held Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, the Congress leader representing the Mumbai North-Central constituency, accountable for the dire living conditions in the area and demanded that the authorities take immediate action to resolve their issues.
The residents protested for several hours, showing their frustration over the neglect of their community and warned of escalating their protests if their demands remain unaddressed. They shouted slogans like “Varsha Gaikwad... Hai Tauba.”
The people of Dharavi, who have long suffered from issues like overflowing toilets, dirty streets, and polluted water, stood together in their quest for change. The protest saw more than 5,000 residents participating.
The protesters emphasized that they are not affiliated with any political party; their demonstration is focused solely on securing basic development and improving the quality of life for the inhabitants of Dharavi.
One participant remarked, “We challenge Varsha Gaikwad or any of her family members to spend a month in the slums of Dharavi. If they are against development after that, we will accept their position. However, if they continue to let us live in these dreadful conditions while they enjoy luxury, we will take to the streets once more.”
Another woman shared, “The situation here is so dire that I can’t even let my children go out after 8 PM. If development occurs, our children will be safer.”
A third protester called for a comprehensive investigation into the ongoing surveys in the area, stating, “If anyone attempts to obstruct the survey, the police should intervene immediately and arrest them.”
Social activist Sujit Gupta, present at the rally, declared, “Today, more than 5,000 voices are united, demanding that the survey be completed swiftly and that development work commences without any further delays. If there is any opposition, the entire Dharavi will stand against it.”
Nilofer, another resident, echoed similar sentiments, saying, “Only politicians are against development. They protest because they stand to gain from it. If they want to protest, they should come and live with us in these filthy conditions.”
A resident also pointed to Adani and remarked, “Only Adani has the capacity to develop the slums; no other entity has the courage to undertake this task.”
With the residents of Dharavi uniting to raise their collective voice, this is expected to strengthen their demands for a better future.
