Immediate land allocation for a graveyard sought amidst prolonged struggle and unfulfilled promises
Team Clarion
MUMBAI – A group of women from Vikhroli, a predominantly Muslim suburb in the northeast of the country’s financial capital, took to the streets at the weekend, demanding that the government allocate land for a much-needed cemetery. The protest, held near MS Bakery in Vikhroli Group No.4, was marked by a banner reading “Muslims have a single demand for Vikhroli Mein Ho Graveyard.”
The demand for a cemetery in Vikhroli has been ongoing for 60 years. Despite repeated efforts by local leaders and organisations, the issue remains unresolved. The area, established in 1962, has seen land reserved for a Hindu crematorium and a Christian burial ground, but Muslims have yet to be allocated a designated cemetery.
Munira Ansari, one of the protesters from Tagore Nagar, voiced the frustration of the local Muslim community. “The responsible persons of Vikhroli have been trying for years but have not been successful in getting land for the cemetery. That is why we are here, raising our voices,” Ansari said. She highlighted the difficulties faced when existing facilities, such as the cemetery at Agarghat, are closed, leaving residents with no viable options for burial.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had previously promised to address the issue by providing land for a cemetery. However, the assurance has not translated into tangible results. At a recent meeting, Chief Minister Shinde reviewed the pending issue and promised a resolution by coordinating with the collector and the municipal commissioner. Despite this, local officials and residents remain skeptical, citing a lack of concrete action and progress.
Shabana Asif Khan Zariwala, another protestor, emphasised the critical nature of the issue. “A cemetery is a sensitive and serious problem that needs immediate attention. Imagine having to transport a deceased loved one to Ghatkopar cemetery, five kilometers away, especially during the rainy season,” she said. Khan criticised the government’s lack of action during the COVID-19 pandemic when the situation was exacerbated by the absence of local burial facilities.
The protest has garnered political attention, with Samajwadi Party state president and MLA Abu Asim Azmi writing to Chief Minister Shinde to demand immediate action. In his letter, Azmi highlighted the longstanding issue and the inconvenience caused to Vikhroli’s Muslim residents.
Former corporator Surna Sahdev Karanje also weighed in, recounting his proposal for a cemetery on Kanjoor Marg, which was ultimately blocked due to the allotment of land to create a garden.
Local leaders and social activists, including Wajid Qureshi from the Brothers Foundation and Abdul Rahman Ansari, have been vocal about the issue. Qureshi criticised the political handling of the cemetery issue, accusing authorities of paying lip service without real commitment. “The progress made so far has been either politically motivated or superficial. The Muslims of Vikhroli are still without a cemetery despite land being allocated in the development plan,” Qureshi said.
Ansari echoed these concerns, urging the community to continue advocating for their rights. “The list of promises is long, but action is zero. We need to hold the chief minister accountable and ensure that our demand is met,” he stated. Ansari also highlighted the upcoming visit of Chief Minister Shinde to Kharoli in early August and called on residents to use this opportunity to push for immediate action on the cemetery issue.
A delegation of local leaders, including Arif Siddiqui, Shariq Qureshi, Jameel Sheikh, Namojit Sawant Dada, Sardar Sheikh, and Akhtar Qureshi, met with Chief Minister Shinde to address the cemetery issue. They were assured that the chief minister would coordinate with relevant officials to resolve the land allocation problem.
The delegation’s meeting with the chief minister is seen as a crucial step, but the community remains cautious and will continue to press for concrete results. The protest highlights the ongoing struggle for a basic facility that has been promised but remains unfulfilled, underscoring the broader issues of religious and communal equity in urban planning.
The demand for a cemetery in Vikhroli continues to be a significant issue for the local Muslim community. Despite promises from government officials, the lack of action and concrete solutions has led to continued protests and advocacy efforts. As the community prepares for further demonstrations and engagements with the government, the outcome will be closely watched.
