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For months, threatening communications recurred. Originally, allegedly from an ex-law enforcement official and a retired army general, later from the police themselves. Ultimately, a local artisan states he was called to law enforcement headquarters and warned explicitly: stop speaking out or experience severe repercussions.

Shaikh is part of a group fighting a multimillion-dollar project where one of India's largest slums – an iconic Mumbai neighborhood – faces bulldozed and redeveloped by a large business group.

"The unique ecosystem of this area is unparalleled in the world," explains Shaikh. "However their intention is to eradicate our community and prevent our protests."

Dual Worlds

The cramped lanes of the slum stand in sharp opposition to the high-rise structures and Bollywood penthouses that dominate the settlement. Residences are assembled randomly and often missing basic amenities, informal businesses produce dangerous fumes and the atmosphere is filled with the unpleasant stench of open sewers.

To some, the vision of Dharavi transformed into a developed area of premium apartments, organized recreational areas, contemporary malls and residences with multiple bathrooms is an optimistic future realized.

"We lack sufficient health services, proper streets or water management and we have no places for youth to recreate," explains a tea vendor, 56, who moved from southern India in that period. "The only way is to clear the area and construct proper housing."

Resident Opposition

However, some, including this protester, are resisting the redevelopment.

All recognize that this community, long neglected as an illegal encroachment, is urgently needing investment and development. However they are concerned that this project – without public consultation – could potentially turn premium city property into a playground for the rich, evicting the marginalized, working-class residents who have resided there since the late 1800s.

It was these marginalized, relocated individuals who developed the uninhabited area into an extensively researched phenomenon of community resilience and business activity, whose production is worth between one million dollars and a substantial sum a year, making it among the globe's biggest unofficial markets.

Relocation Worries

Out of about 1 million people living in the crowded 2.2 square kilometer neighborhood, fewer than half will be able for alternative accommodation in the development, which is estimated to take a significant period to accomplish. The remainder will be moved to barren areas and saline fields on the far outskirts of the city, threatening to divide a generations-old neighborhood. Certain individuals will not get residences at all.

Those allowed to remain in Dharavi will be allocated flats in multi-story structures, a significant rupture from the natural, shared lifestyle of dwelling and laboring that has sustained Dharavi for generations.

Commercial activities from clothing production to pottery and recycling are likely to shrink in number and be transferred to a specific "business area" far from people's residences.

Existential Threat

For those such as the leather artisan, a craftsman and multi-generational inhabitant to live in the slum, the plan presents a fundamental risk. His informal, multi-level operation creates apparel – formal jackets, luxury coats, studded bomber jackets – sold in high-end shops in the city's affluent areas and internationally.

Relatives lives in the rooms below and employees and tailors – workers from different regions – live there, permitting him to afford their labour. Outside this community, accommodation prices are typically tenfold as high for a single room.

Pressure and Coercion

At the official facilities close by, an illustrated mock-up of the transformation initiative illustrates an alternative outlook. Slickly dressed people move around on two-wheelers and electric vehicles, purchasing continental baked goods and pastries and having coffee on a patio outside Dharavi Cafe and treat station. This represents a complete departure from the affordable idli sambar breakfast and low-cost tea that supports local residents.

"This represents no improvement for us," explains the protester. "This constitutes a massive real estate deal that will render it impossible for us to survive."

Furthermore, there's concern of the business conglomerate. Headed by an influential industrialist – one of India's most powerful and a supporter of the national leader – the conglomerate has faced accusations of crony capitalism and ethical concerns, which it rejects.

Although the state government calls it a partnership, the corporation paid a significant amount for its 80% stake. Legal proceedings alleging that the project was questionably assigned to the developer is under review in India's supreme court.

Sustained Harassment

Since they began to publicly resist the project, local opponents claim they have been faced a long-running campaign of pressure and threats – involving messages, clear intimidation and insinuations that opposing the development was tantamount to opposing national interests – by individuals they claim are associated with the corporate group.

Included in these suspected of delivering warnings is {a retired police officer|a former law enforcement official|an ex-c