Pressure, Fear and Optimism as India's financial capital Slum Dwellers Confront Demolition

For months, intimidating messages continued. At first, allegedly from an ex-law enforcement official and an ex-military commander, later from law enforcement directly. Finally, one resident claims he was called to law enforcement headquarters and warned explicitly: remain silent or encounter real trouble.

The leather artisan is among those opposing a multimillion-dollar project where one of India's largest slums – an iconic Mumbai neighborhood – will be demolished and redeveloped by a large business group.

"The distinctive community of Dharavi is unparalleled in the globe," says the protester. "Yet the plan aims to eradicate our social fabric and stop us speaking out."

Contrasting Realities

The narrow alleys of Dharavi present a dramatic difference to the high-rise structures and Bollywood penthouses that loom over the area. Residences are constructed informally and often lacking adequate facilities, unregulated industries produce dangerous fumes and the atmosphere is filled with the overpowering odor of exposed drainage.

Among some individuals, the prospect of Dharavi transformed into a developed area of premium apartments, organized recreational areas, shiny shopping centers and apartments with two toilets is an aspirational dream achieved.

"We lack sufficient health services, roads or water management and we have no places for kids to enjoy," says a tea vendor, in his fifties, who moved from Tamil Nadu in 1982. "The only way is to demolish everything and build us new homes."

Community Resistance

However, some, including this protester, are opposing the redevelopment.

Everyone acknowledges that the slum, consistently overlooked as informal housing, is urgently needing economic input and modernization. However they are concerned that this initiative – lacking community input – is one that will turn a piece of prime Mumbai real estate into a luxury development, forcing out the disadvantaged, migrant communities who have resided there since the late 1800s.

It was these marginalized, migrant workers who built up the uninhabited area into a frequently examined example of self-reliance and commercial output, whose production is estimated at between a significant amount and two million dollars annually, making it a major unregulated sectors.

Resettlement Issues

Among approximately 1 million residents living in the packed sprawling area, fewer than half will be qualified for replacement housing in the redevelopment, which is expected to take an extended timeframe to accomplish. Others will be moved to undeveloped zones and salt plains on the far outskirts of Mumbai, risking break up a generations-old social network. Some will be denied residences at all.

Those allowed to continue living in Dharavi will be provided units in tower blocks, a significant rupture from the organic, communal way of residing and operating that has maintained the community for many years.

Industries from clothing production to clay work and material recovery are expected to reduce in scale and be moved to a designated "business area" far from homes.

Existential Threat

For residents like the leather artisan, a craftsman and multi-generational inhabitant to live in this community, the redevelopment presents a fundamental risk. His rickety, three-floor workshop makes garments – tailored coats, premium outerwear, decorated jackets – distributed in high-end shops in upscale neighborhoods and overseas.

His family dwells in the accommodations underneath and his workers and sewers – workers from north India – reside on-site, enabling him to manage costs. Away from the slum, housing costs are often 10 times costlier for a single room.

Pressure and Coercion

At the government offices in the vicinity, a visual representation of the Dharavi project depicts a very different outlook. Fashionable inhabitants mill about on bicycles and e-vehicles, purchasing international baguettes and croissants and having coffee on a patio near a restaurant and treat station. It is a stark contrast from the 20-rupee idli sambar morning meal and budget beverage that sustains Dharavi's community.

"This isn't development for us," says the artisan. "It's an enormous property transaction that will render it impossible for us to survive."

There is also skepticism of the business conglomerate. Managed by a prominent businessman – among the country's wealthiest and a close ally of the national leader – the conglomerate has faced accusations of crony capitalism and questionable practices, which it denies.

While local authorities describes it as a joint project, the developer contributed $950m for its majority share. A case stating that the redevelopment was improperly granted to the developer is under review in India's supreme court.

Ongoing Pressure

From when they initiated to actively protest the redevelopment, Shaikh and other residents claim they have been faced an extended period of coercion and warning – comprising messages, clear intimidation and implications that opposing the development was tantamount to anti-national sentiment – by individuals they allege work for the developer.

Part of the group alleged to have issuing the threats is {a retired police officer|a former law enforcement official|an ex-c