After the BJP-led govt in Maharashtra banned the slaughter of bulls and bullocks in addition to cows, since then worries started for Dharavi’s traders. One of the world’s largest slums ‘Dharvi’ which boasts a thriving leather industry of small-scale units hits hardly by Maha govt decision.
According to reports the leather business is one of the biggest contributors to the Mumbai slum’s informal economy, estimated to have an annual turnover of more than $500 million.
“Dharavi’s renowned leather market has lost its charm, first because of the high prices and now because political parties object to beef,” said Nazi Sheikh, co-owner of a leather shop on Dharavi’s Sangam Galli.
Over the past three months, Haji Farookh, a third-generation leather trader has seen noticeable shifts in business. His godown which used to be crammed with animal hide is almost vacant now, while the number of labour has shrunk from six to one.
Several small units have shut down over the weeks owing to the raw material shortage. Hundreds of labourers have been
rendered jobless. “The future is dark. We know nothing other than this trade. We lack the resources and the knowledge to start another business. What do we do now,” asks Mr. Farookh.
The impacts of the ban on slaughter of bulls and bullocks have not only affected the Dharavi’s slums, but also the agriculturalists too got affected by the govt decision. The farmer is the first among a chain of people who boost the beef trade. As bullocks get old and “unproductive”, farmers sell them at the local cattle market from where the bullocks are transported to the slaughterhouse.
The government will lose money in the form of taxes and we will lose our jobs. Leather will become even more costly and will be purchased at higher amounts in the black market,” said Mobin Ansari a Leather trader in Mumbai.