The demands are being put forward by the Mobai Gaonthan Panchayat (MGP), an NGO that addresses the community's issues
With civic elections looming, a section of the East Indian community in the city is ready with their set of demands for political parties and their candidates. East Indians, who consider themselves to be among the first 'sons of soil' have a list of demands that range from housing issues, identity to culture and reservations. The demands are being put forward by the Mobai Gaonthan Panchayat (MGP), an NGO that addresses the community's issues.
"We are over three to four lakh people spread all over Mumbai. In a lot of areas we have a sizeable number of population. We want some of our pending demands to be taken up and dealt with," said Alphi D'souza, spokesperson of the MGP.
Among the 20 odd demands, the top demands include an East Indian Bhavan, repair and housing development of East Indian homes, OBC status for the community so that they get reservation benefits, special timings for Umbrachapaani and Christmas midnight mass and permissions for Reklas and other events that are part of the East Indian festivals. Reklas are decorated horse and bullock carriages that are taken out by community members during festivals. D'souza claimed that some members of the community have been fighting for allowing Reklas to be used during the festival without causing any harm to animals.
"We have an East-Indian museum which is on a private land as of now. We are grateful to the family but ideally there should be an East Indian Bhavan on government land. The government can provide us land in either Uttan, Manori or Gorai," said D'Souza.
Housing is another issue that the community faces. D'souza adds that demands will be put forward to party leaders of different political parties and also to candidates. "If they win and come, we can rightfully take the issue back to them," he said.
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