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🇮🇳 India /Economy & Trade

Surat Fish Market Named After Vegetarian PM Modi Sparks Trader Backlash

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A fish market in Surat, India, was controversially named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sparking objections from some traders.
  • Objectors cited Modi's strict vegetarianism, questioning the appropriateness of naming a fish market after him.
  • The Surat Municipal Corporation clarified that the naming process is not finalized, and the market received government funding under a fisheries scheme.

A controversy has erupted in Surat, Gujarat, after a newly constructed wholesale fish market was named 'Shree Narendra Modi Wholesale Fish Market.' The naming, which included a board with the Prime Minister's photo, has drawn objections from a section of fish traders.

Narendra Modi has never consumed seafood in his life and is a pure vegetarian. Because Modi is a vegetarian, this board should not be put up.

— Surendra LashkariA fish trader explained the reason for objecting to the market's name.

The primary objection stems from Prime Minister Modi's well-known adherence to vegetarianism. Traders like Surendra Lashkari questioned the decision, stating, "Narendra Modi has never consumed seafood in his life and is a pure vegetarian. Because Modi is a vegetarian, this board should not be put up."

However, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), which built the market, has stated that the naming process is still under consideration and nothing has been finalized. An SMC official indicated that the board was put up without an official resolution and that the Surat Fish Merchant Association (SFMA), which also featured on the board, has verbally assured they will remove it.

The board was put up without an official resolution. We have informed them about it and they have given a verbal assurance that they will take it down themselves.

— RD GanjawalaSMC Executive Engineer RD Ganjawala clarified the status of the market's naming.

The SFMA defended the naming, citing that the market received ₹3 crore in government funding under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, a scheme launched by Prime Minister Modi. The association's president, Kalpesh Navsariwala, stated that previous governments had not done as much for fishermen and that the market provides employment to lakhs of people.

Under the Yojana, which was launched by PM Modi, the SMC received ₹3 crore to build this market.

— Kalpesh NavsariwalaKalpesh Navsariwala, president of SFMA, defended the naming by referencing government funding.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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