Mumbai: Govandi residents’ group challenges SP leader Abu Azmi

Residents have been gathering support by distributing pamphlets

A residents' group in Govandi has initiated a campaign, going door-to-door, urging locals to rally together to protect their sole free library and study centre. They have alleged that local MLA Abu Azmi and his party workers are illegally encroaching and misusing the centre meant for underprivileged children. Under their campaign, the group called Govandi Citizens Welfare Forum has been distributing pamphlets and putting handbills across Deonar and Govandi to raise awareness and garner support for their cause.

Residents of the M East Ward, who predominantly live in slums with limited space at home, welcomed the centre, hoping it would benefit students in the area. However, they soon observed alleged misuse of the premises for political activities, raising concerns about disruptions that could impede students' learning opportunities. Subsequently, the centre was divided into two parts, with the trust stating that the other part would be utilised as a skill centre for poor and underprivileged students from the area.

"We have been alerting everyone that the MLA has been utilising the centre for political events and meetings. He, however, has consistently denied these allegations, emphasising that the facility is dedicated to serving as a skill development centre for local children. There have been many violations and the BMC has failed to take action," said Fayyaz Alam, a Govandi resident and founder-president of the NGO New Sangam Welfare Society.

On July 3, 2023, Nafees Ansari, a resident, lodged a complaint with the BMC along with photographs, alleging that the premises designated for a library and study centre were being used for political events and programmes. Residents also complained about the construction of a mezzanine floor. Following the citizen's complaint, BMC officials, in a letter to the trust, deemed this usage objectionable and a violation of the terms and conditions of the permission granted.

Last month, the BMC stated that space in the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj recreation ground at Shivaji Nagar in Govandi was allocated to the Niyaz Minority Welfare Educational Trust. However, the subsequent handing over of the space to a third party - the Houston Testing and Skill Upgradation Academy - constitutes a breach of contract. The residents issued a legal notice to the BMC last week and are urging the civic authorities to blacklist the trust for its contractual violation.

Additionally, the group has started distributing pamphlets and handbills appealing to residents to come forward and join the campaign to save the library. "People do not take things seriously. They feel this is acceptable. But by the time they realise what is happening, the place has been encroached upon. With all sorts of disturbances around, students would stop coming here often, and that is what we fear," added Shaikh.

In response to the allegations raised by the residents' group, Azmi dismissed them as the efforts of a group of ambitious young individuals with political aspirations. He argued, "I have lawfully acquired this land from the BMC and have not misused it. I am financing this initiative from my own funds to redirect children who have fallen victim to addiction and other social evils towards a better life through skill development. Any other claims are false," Azmi told mid-day.