For Agri Koli Sachin Vaity, 36, January brought a major loss - the demolition of his ancestral home in Bhandup by the BMC for road widening. A few months later, in June, Vaity's wife passed away due to the stress brought on by the demolition.

"We were told that only five feet from the front would be utilised, however, later the entire house was brought down," said Vaity, who runs a Chinese food stall in Bhandup, adding "I was born and brought up in this house and four generations of our family have stayed here. Never did I imagine it to be broken down." Vaity, who is currently residing in a temporary shelter, was among the many Agri Koli community members who protested on Sunday for safeguarding their identity, which is their gaothans and koliwadas.