Versova
Kathiawadis fight off authorities for their trade
Draying fish on the dead!
• Aliefya Vahanvaty,
Versova
THE Versova
cemetery has long since been the ground of contention
for several issues. However, now the battle is heating
up regarding the issue of the Kathiawadi community
drying their fish inside the cemetery plot. According
to ex-corporator of area, Motiram Bhave, “The
cemetery was built in 1990 when the collector handed
over the plot (under survey 94D and 94C) of 9,000
sq feet to the BMC for constructing and maintaining
a public cemetery since the Versova area had none.
The BMC built the walls surrounding the plot and put
up the shamshan ghat and 4,500 sq feet of the land
was thus utilisd as cemetery. The remaining 4,500
sq feet has been proposed as a recreational plot with
a jogger’s track and park as well as creation
of a memorial for the freedom fighters of Versova
village. When the BMC was building the cemetery they
gave about 20-25 sq feet to the Kathiawadi people
on a temporary basis to dry their fish as the Kathiwadi
people had requested the collector to give them a
small bit of land. Their request was heeded at the
time and today the situation is such that they are
now drying the fish right next to the shamshan ghat
as well as in the attached compound. This is a complete
mismanagement of affairs. It is the BMC and Collector’s
responsibility to see to it that the cemetery is clear
of such unwanted elements.”
Harishwar
Patil, exmayor, who had once visited the cemetery in
1999 too was shocked at the sorry state of affairs and
had immediately requested that private guards be put
up to ensure that the cemetery wasn’t misused.
However, this measure didn’t last very long and
within 8-months or so things were back to the old state.
Patil says, “The BMC and police should be taking
strict action on the matter rather than turning a blind
eye to the situation.
Their
lack of action is deplorable and it is imperative that
the Kathiawadi People be stopped from damaging the cemetery
property any more.
They
have no authority to be there and they should be removed
immediately under the law.”
Raj
Hans Tapke, a resident of Versova Village and editor
of ‘Sagar Shakti’, says, “The ground
does not belong to the Kathiawadi people. They have
occupied it illegally and are misusing it completely.
It is disrespectful to the dead to have these people
draying fish there and using the premises for commercial
activity. This ground has been use by it is the BMC
and collector’s responsibility to see to It
that the cemetery is clear of such unwanted elements
the koli fishermen for generations now and these outsiders
have come here in the past few decades and through their
strong handed means have completely taken over not just
the cemetery grounds but also the road and footpath
outside. It’s shameful that the BMC and police
are keeping quiet about such blatant injustice and illegal
activity.”
According
to Dhond, chief-engineer BMC, “According to our
records the Kathiawadi people do have some papers to
prove that they were given the use of a certain area
of land by the Collector but I’m certain that
this did not include the inside of the cemetery. We
shall be looking into the matter and taking immediate
action.
The
Kathiawadis, at the cemetery, on their part, refused
to comment on the issue at all. |
