Friends,

The last few weeks have witnessed an intense, brutal round of demolitions of jhuggis in Mumbai. Starting 8 December, up to 60-75,000 slum houses have been destroyed, in various parts of Mumbai, affecting perhaps upto 3 lakhs people. Contrary to its promises in the recent elections, the Maharashtra Government has been demolishing houses that have come up after 1 Jan 1995. It is reported they have slowed demolitions in recent days in the face of widespread protests across the city.

This attempt by elites to turn our cities into another "Shanghai" was also witnessed in the huge demolitions in Yamuna Pushta last year, and in other parts of Delhi.

Leena, a housing rights activist, will initiate a discussion by sharing experiences of what is going on in Mumbai. This can be followed by a discussion, and perhaps we can also discuss what kind of intervention here is possible.

We will also be distributing copies of a new report on the Yamuna Pushta demolitions, 'Suno Nadi Kya Kehti Hai', recently brought out by Visthapan Virodhi Abhiyan, a collective that was formed in response to the Pushta demolitions.

Time: 4.30 pm
Venue: Saheli office, under Defence Colony Flyover
Date: Saturday, 19 February 2005

In solidarity,
Sreerekha Sathi, Naga