Mumbai: Representatives of Moolniwasis — Kolis, tribals, and east Indians — have, with support from the Aam Adami Party (AAP), joined hands to address the issues faced by them. The representatives were speaking at an event organised by Maharashtra Changemakers — an apolitical initiative for activists to build synergies across verticals — in Goregaon on Sunday.
While east Indian representatives said their culture and land is under threat, tribal rights activists like Kunal Babbar highlighted how lack of education and civic amenities has put the community in a pitiable condition.
The Koli community members spoke about the threat to their villages from the coastal road and environmental degradation, and how the community is turning from a prosperous net employer to one looking for employment.
“Tribals are living in a pathetic condition in Mumbai,” tribal rights activist Vitthal Lad said, adding in Aarey, the government doesn’t even acknowledge their existence. “Since Kolis are one of the earliest industrious communities of this region, we must unite with other Moolniwasis to be equal stakeholders in the city’s future,” Vikas Koli, head of business wing, All India Fishermans’ Association, said.
“Our Gaothans are being wrongfully characterised as slum dwellers, but we are original inhabitants and not encroachers,” Godfrey Pimenta of the Watchdog Foundation and the Bombay East Indian Association said.
Ruben Mascarenhas, national joint secretary, AAP, said, “The party will be studying the issues and if required, we shall ask our parliamentarians to bring them up in the House.”