East Indian Community Flags Land Concerns
Mumbai's East Indian community seeks housing rights, probes church land holdings
The Mobai Gaothan Panchayat, the apex body representing Mumbai's indigenous East Indian community, has expressed concern over the Maharashtra government's reported probe into church land holdings.
The community has been seeking recognition of its historical contribution through the East Indian Samaj Action Plan, which includes a housing scheme for landless East Indians whose ancestors had donated land for churches, schools, hospitals, and other Catholic institutions across Mumbai and Vasai.
According to MGP leader Vicky Misquitta, the East Indian community had donated land in good faith for religious and community purposes, but many of its descendants are now struggling to secure housing in their own gaothans.
The MGP has urged the Maharashtra government to reopen and review the acquisition of land for Mumbai airport, claiming that much of it originally belonged to East Indian families. They also want the government to reassess Town Planning Scheme lands across Mumbai to safeguard the interests of the indigenous community.
The organisation is seeking a dedicated housing scheme for landless East Indians, in line with the recommendations of the EISA Policy, with support from both the Church and the state government.
The MGP maintains that it is not opposed to the Church or its institutions but is seeking justice, respect, and security for the community whose land had helped establish many of them.
The East Indian community is considered the original inhabitant of Mumbai's seven islands and has been seeking recognition of its historical contribution for decades.
The community's demands are not new, and the MGP has been pushing for the implementation of the EISA Policy, which aims to provide justice, dignity, and a home for the Bhumiputras.
The Maharashtra government's reported probe into church land holdings has brought the issue back into focus, and the MGP is hoping that the government will take their demands seriously and work towards providing housing rights to the landless East Indians.
The issue is significant for Mumbai, as it highlights the long-standing grievances of the East Indian community and their struggle for recognition and justice.
In the end, the MGP's demands are not just about housing rights but also about recognizing the historical contribution of the East Indian community to the development of Mumbai.
The community is hoping that the government will take a positive step towards addressing their grievances and providing them with the justice and dignity they deserve.
The outcome of this issue will have a significant impact on the East Indian community and their struggle for recognition and justice in Mumbai.
It will also be interesting to see how the government responds to the MGP's demands and whether they will be able to provide housing rights to the landless East Indians.
Only time will tell if the government will take the necessary steps to address the grievances of the East Indian community and provide them with the justice and dignity they deserve.
