The fishermen, across all party lines, have submitted a memorandum asking the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) to take action against itinerant fish-vendors. Three months ago, a similar memorandum was given to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation.
The memorandum points to the alleged intrusion into their traditional business. It also asks the three municipal corporations to implement Section 410 of the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, which prescribes action against vendors/ hawkers selling meat or any food items outside the market area.
Alongside their attempt at deeming the north Indian fish-vendors’ business as being against the norms, the discontent against them is visible in the recently-formed ‘Koli Mahila Bachao’ (Save Koli fisherwomen) movement and other movements.
Kolis, considered to be the original inhabitants of Mumbai, form the majority of licence holders selling fish in 70 markets across Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai. According to their associations, nearly 40,000 fisherwomen sell fish in Mumbai.
“These people are snatching our bread and butter from us. Earlier, on an average, one fisherwoman would sell four to five baskets a day. Now they only sell one basket a week,” says Manak Koli, vice-president of the Koli Mahila Sangharsh Samiti and the Maharashtra Koli Samaj. “We are not against north Indians, but please spare our livelihood.”
“Our men catch the prey and then we (the fisherwomen) sell it in the marketplace by paying taxes to local authorities. These people (the North Indians) are severely affecting our business,” adds Koli. According to the fisherfolk, the north Indians form a syndicate amongst themselves and not only offer fish at customers’ doorsteps but also reduce the rates. “So people don’t buy fish from us. We are doing it legally by using fair means and they are snatching employment from the real inhabitants of Mumbai,” adds Koli.