Income discrepancy concerns voters as India's most affluent city prepares for an election.
In the shining abode of India's wealthiest individual, Mukesh Ambani, Mumbai stands as a beacon for fulfilled aspirations. This metropolis, home to Asia's billionaires and Bollywood stars, epitomizes the pursuit of success and prosperity.
However, as Mumbai prepares for the nationwide elections, its residents yearn for a more equitable distribution of their city's wealth, with a call for better education serving as the key to opportunity.
In the tightly packed neighborhood of Dadar, people from all walks of life spill out of train stations and malls, forming a vibrant tapestry of humanity navigating through the congested streets where traders compete for customers. Grocer Sachin Chaudhary, 34, voices concerns about escalating prices and job scarcity preceding the city's first phase of voting this coming May.
"I envision a less expensive existence," he says. "Additionally, children must have access to quality education, thus presenting opportunities in the employment sector."
Companioned by fantasy and ambition, Mumbai is often likened to New York – a bustling hub of hope where migrants seek to succeed and uplift their families, many of whom hail from impoverished rural towns.
Concurrently, India's other half remains visibly present, as day laborers toil under the sweltering heat next to picture-perfect tourist destinations like the iconic Gateway of India.
Rajani Bhat, a 42-year-old Mumbai resident with spiky hair and a strong voice, expresses her woes about the safety of women, specifically young girls.
"I'm concerned about the well-being of women, particularly those in dire financial circumstances," she explained to CNN, amidst a street dotted with jewelry and clothing shops.
"Children, with parents, are required to perform laborious tasks from a tender age. How can they attend school? Someone must intervene on their behalf."
Kalpita Shinde, a 43-year-old bureaucrat, supports the notion of offering India's populace greater social mobility.
"We need ample employment positions that complement the improved education opportunities," she asserted. "When individuals secure decent jobs, their lives and, consequently, their families experience substantial benefits."
Helen D’Souza, a 60-year-old banker, also stresses the significance of enhancing the situation for the middle class.
"The country deserves advancements," she expressed amidst the cacophony of Dadar's traffic. "Many people are discontent ... the absence of fulfillment results in distrust and disillusionment."
‘Modi is my choice’
While all Mumbaikars view voting as their civic responsibility, only BJP supporters freely declare their electoral leanings.
The BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are widely believed to maintain power for another five years following this election, reinforcing a prominent position in Indian politics that has both admirers and detractors.
The party's dominance is evidenced by the abundance of BJP campaigning materials displayed throughout Mumbai, with Modi's visage beaming from billboards and gracing bridges, presenting his achievements and electoral pledges.
For Bhat, the solution to India's impoverished female population lies within the BJP, the party she supports.
"I wish for Narendra Modi – he's the ideal leader," she says with conviction. "Before Modi, nobody knew who the head of state was.
"But today, everyone is aware of our country's leadership because he's actively engaging with other nations, ensuring our country is adequately prepared for upcoming challenges."
Salesperson Parag Sawla, 42, echoes that conviction.
"I'll cast my vote for the BJP; they're the ideal party," he says. "As a voter, I value a party that caters to global concerns as well as those affecting individuals."
Yet, not every BJP supporter exudes similar ardor.
"I'll vote for the BJP due to lack of opposition," states Chaudhary, the grocer. "If there were numerous political parties that provided valid alternatives, my vote might sway."
Tensions rooted in religion
In addition to education and employment, several other concerns pervade the minds of Mumbai's voters, particularly religious tensions decades in the making that have escalated during Modi's reign.
Modi and the BJP have faced accusations of fostering religious divisions with Hindu-centric policies, obscuring a rising tide of religious intolerance and violent altercations between Hindus and Muslims. The country's 230 million Muslims bemoan their displacement and increasing marginalization in the world's most populous democracy.
There's been much debate surrounding the BJP's effort to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which aims to establish uniform laws for personal matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance, replacing religious laws practiced by different communities. Some worry that the government's Hindu nationalist agenda could potentially affect the bill, potentially compromising the rights and liberties of minorities. However, others argue that this move towards revamping religious laws signifies progress.
A sixty-year-old retired airline employee named Sanjay Sardesai expresses his stance but doesn't reveal his vote. "It's crucial that all individuals, no matter their faith, be treated similarly," he tells CNN while seated on his motorbike in Dadar. "This code should be instituted nationwide to ensure we're all treated equitably."
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During the city-wide elections, Mumbai residents call for a more equitable distribution of wealth throughout the city, hoping to address income discrepancies.
In the global arena, India and its wealthiest city, Mumbai, are often compared due to their shared aspirations for prosperity, but the concerns of less fortunate individuals, such as Grocer Sachin Chaudhary, cannot be overlooked.
Source: edition.cnn.com
