Fishermen organise boat rally with black flags to oppose Shivaji memorial

Over 500 fishermen sailed along with fishing boats adorned with black flags take part in a 'Sea-Rally' to protest against the construction of The Chhatrapati Shivaji Memorial in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Mumbai on Wednesday

Over 500 fishermen sailed along with fishing boats adorned with black flags take part in a 'Sea-Rally' to protest against the construction of The Chhatrapati Shivaji Memorial in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Mumbai on Wednesday.

Indian tourists take photographs as fishing boats and crews take part in a 'Sea-Rally' to protest against the construction of The Chhatrapati Shivaji Memorial in the Arabian Sea. Pic/AFP

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The fishermen participated in this rally to highlight the conditions which are going to arise after the construction of the proposed sea memorial for the legendary warrior Shivaji which may cause adverse effects to the livelihood of fishermen.

The rally kicked off from Badhwar Park in South Mumbai and passed by Nariman point and Governor's residence before culminating at the proposed site of the memorial. The fisherfolk demanded rehabilitation of their community members who will be impacted by the construction for the memorial before starting the work.

Indian fishing boats adorned with black flags take part in a 'Sea-Rally'. Pic/AFP

The joint rally was organised by 'Paramparik Machhimar Seva Samiti' (PMSS) along with 'Machhimar Sarvoday Society'. The fishermen clarified that they were not against the construction of the memorial per se but the site which they said will 'jeopardise' the livelihood of 3500-odd fishermen.

Fishermen holding a rally in the Arabian Sea against proposed construction of Chhatrapati Shivaji Memorial in Mumbai on Wednesday. Pic/AFP

In its budget, the Maharashtra Government had recently announced Rs 100 crore for the construction of the memorial dedicated to the Maratha warrior king and has set a target of 2019 to complete the ambitious project.

The memorial, estimated to cost Rs 1,900 crore, is proposed to come up on an islet in the sea. It will boast the world's tallest statue - a 192-metre statue of Shivaji surrounded by an art museum, an amphitheatre, an auditorium and an exhibition gallery and other features.

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