Shivaji statue in Mumbai- at  what cost to the fishing community?

“Shivaji does not belong to just one community . We too are the heirs of Shivaji. Our only problem is that we have always been politically backward and under-represented.” a Koli leader told the fisherfolk who are vehemently opposing the present site of the proposed Shivaji statue.

But as he rightly said the fishing community of this Konkan coast –the “Kolis” are a backward community now pushed to the wall,with their very livelihood threatened .

The Shivaji statue project was officially inaugurated on December 24 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who conducted a bhoomi-puja on a rocky outcrop in the sea where the memorial will be located.

Kolis – the original natives to the city

Mumbai has grown around the fishermen community, Kolis – the original natives to the city. Now their very existence is being threatened. The leaders of the fishermen associations protesting against the present site for the Shivaji smarak were detained ahead of the PM’s visit. The fishermen had planned to form a human chain and protest with black flags but were prevented from leaving their colonies.

The Congress-led state government had first proposed the idea of erecting a 192-metre tall statue of the 17th century warrior king Shivaji in the sea in 2008. After eight years of deliberations and obtaining clearances, the government, now led by the BJP announced that the memorial would be built at a cost of Rs 3,600 crore, (whose money is it anyway!).

Proposed memorial in the sea will ruin livelihoods

For the local fisherfolk , the sea immediately surrounding the rocky outcrop where the memorial has been planned is a lifeline. It is a breeding spot for at least 32 species of fish that are most commonly eaten in Mumbai, including pomfret, surmai, rawas and prawns.

“The boats of at least 300 fishing families fish in that area, and the memorial will rob them of their livelihood.This will also affect all those who eat those fish in Mumbai.”

“Why do they need 60 acres for a memorial? Did they even once think about our livelihoods while planning? And how did the Centre even give environmental clearance for this project without considering the impact it will have on fishing communities?” the community is asking.

Alternate sites suggested to deaf governments

Koli leaders have proposed a variety of other alternative locations in Maharashtra where the government could set up the memorial. One suggestion was Elephanta Island near Mumbai. Another suggestion was building a memorial within Raigad Fort, where Shivaji had died, which is about 185 km away from Mumbai.