Rath Yatra Launched For Navi Mumbai Airport Naming Protest

A Rath Yatra was flagged off in Navi Mumbai to garner public support for the August 5 protest in New Delhi, demanding that the Navi Mumbai International Airport be named after the late social activist Dinkar Balu Patil.

The protest, scheduled to take place at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, aims to pressure the Centre to approve the proposal to name the airport after Patil, which has been pending for the past three years despite being unanimously passed by both Houses of the Maharashtra Legislature.

Organisers of the agitation claim that the delay has fuelled resentment among residents and project-affected people across the five coastal districts of the Konkan region. To intensify the campaign, a one-day symbolic protest has been planned at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on August 5.

The awareness drive began with the launch of the Rath Yatra from Ghansoli, where it received support from local villagers, social workers, and several other organisations. Addressing a public meeting, project-affected leaders and activists urged citizens to participate in the Delhi protest.

Those present included Jagdish Gaikar, Rashmita Popeta, Sumit Waze, Madhukar Satyavan Patil, 29 Gaon Sangharsh Samiti president Deep Patil, Agari Foundation president Nilesh Patil, Sangharsh Samiti working president Pratap Mhatre, former corporator Suryakant Madhvi, and activist Ranjita Patil.

The Rath Yatra commenced from Shri Hanuman Mandir in Ghansoli and will travel across the region to create awareness and mobilise support for the August 5 demonstration in the national capital.

The proposal to name the airport after Dinkar Patil has been a long-standing demand of the locals, who consider him a champion of social justice. The naming of the airport after Patil is seen as a tribute to his contributions to the region.

The August 5 protest is expected to draw a large crowd, with many residents and project-affected people from the Konkan region expected to participate. The protest is being organised by various organisations, including the 29 Gaon Sangharsh Samiti and the Agari Foundation.

The success of the protest will depend on the level of public support it receives, and the organisers are hopeful that the Rath Yatra will help mobilise people from across the region.

In the end, the naming of the Navi Mumbai International Airport after Dinkar Patil is a matter of pride for the locals, and they are determined to see it through. The August 5 protest is a crucial step in this direction, and the outcome will be closely watched by all stakeholders.

The protest is not just about naming an airport, but also about recognizing the contributions of a social activist who dedicated his life to the welfare of the people. It is a testament to the power of public mobilisation and the importance of remembering the sacrifices of those who have worked for the betterment of society.