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For months, intimidating phone calls recurred. At first, supposedly from an ex-law enforcement official and a retired army general, later from the police themselves. Finally, Mohammad Khurshid Shaikh asserts he was summoned to the local precinct and told clearly: stop speaking out or experience severe repercussions.

This third-generation resident is among those fighting a multimillion-dollar redevelopment plan where Dharavi – one of India’s largest and most storied slums – faces razed and transformed by a multinational conglomerate.

"The unique ecosystem of this area is like nowhere else in the globe," explains the protester. "But their intention is to dismantle our social fabric and stop us speaking out."

Opposing Environments

The cramped lanes of the slum sit in stark contrast to the towering buildings and Bollywood penthouses that dominate the area. Residences are assembled randomly and frequently lacking adequate facilities, unregulated industries release harmful emissions and the environment is saturated with the unpleasant stench of uncovered waste channels.

To some, the promise of Dharavi transformed into a glistening neighborhood of luxury high-rises, organized recreational areas, modern retail complexes and residences with proper sanitation is an optimistic future realized.

"There's no sufficient health services, roads or water management and there's nowhere for children to play," states A Selvin Nadar, fifty-six, who moved from his home state in the early eighties. "The sole solution is to tear it all down and construct proper housing."

Local Protest

However, some, such as this protester, are resisting the project.

None deny that this community, historically ignored as an illegal encroachment, is in stark need financial support and improvement. However they worry that this initiative – lacking community input – might turn premium city property into an elite enclave, forcing out the disadvantaged, migrant communities who have been there since the late 1800s.

This involved these shunned, migrant workers who established the vacant wetlands into a frequently examined example of local enterprise and commercial output, whose output is worth between $1m and a substantial sum annually, making it one of the world's largest unofficial markets.

Relocation Worries

Among approximately 1 million inhabitants living in the packed sprawling zone, fewer than half will be eligible for alternative accommodation in the redevelopment, which is projected to take seven years to accomplish. Additional residents will be relocated to undeveloped zones and coastal regions on the far outskirts of the metropolis, potentially break up a long-established social network. Some will not get homes at all.

Residents permitted to remain in the neighborhood will be given units in multi-story structures, a substantial change from the natural, shared lifestyle of residing and operating that has maintained this area for many years.

Commercial activities from clothing production to pottery and waste processing are projected to shrink in number and be moved to a designated "commercial zone" far from homes.

Livelihood Crisis

For residents like the leather artisan, a leather artisan and third generation resident to call home this community, the plan presents a fundamental risk. His makeshift, three-floor facility produces garments – formal jackets, premium outerwear, studded bomber jackets – distributed in luxury boutiques in the city's affluent areas and internationally.

Household members resides in the rooms below and employees and garment workers – workers from other states – live there, permitting him to manage costs. Away from the slum, housing costs are often 10 times more expensive for a single room.

Harassment and Intimidation

In the government offices close by, a visual representation of the transformation initiative illustrates an alternative perspective. Well-groomed people gather on bicycles and electric vehicles, buying western-style bread and pastries and socializing on an outdoor area outside Dharavi Cafe and Ice-Cream. This depicts a complete departure from the affordable idli sambar breakfast and 5-rupee chai that sustains the neighborhood.

"This isn't improvement for us," explains the artisan. "It represents a massive land development that will make it unaffordable for our community to continue."

There is also concern of the corporate group. Managed by a prominent businessman – a leading figure and a supporter of the national leader – the business group has been subject to claims of preferential treatment and ethical concerns, which it rejects.

Although the state government labels it a collaborative effort, the developer invested a significant amount for its controlling interest. A lawsuit stating that the initiative was improperly granted to the business group is under review in India's supreme court.

Sustained Harassment

After they started to vocally oppose the redevelopment, protesters and community members state they have been faced a long-running campaign of harassment and intimidation – including messages, explicit warnings and suggestions that criticizing the initiative was tantamount to anti-national sentiment – by individuals they claim work for the business conglomerate.

Part of the group accused of making intimidations is {a retired police officer|a former law enforcement official|an ex-c