Surat Fish Market Board Named After PM Modi Sparks Controversy

The Surat Municipal Corporation announced that a fish market board bearing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name will be removed.

This decision follows communication with the Surat Fish Merchant Association (SFMA). A controversy erupted in Surat, Gujarat, after a large board reading "Shree Narendra Modi Wholesale Fish Market," along with a photograph of the Prime Minister, was installed at the entrance of the newly-built market at Lakkadkot in the Nanpura area. The board also carried the name of the SFMA.

A section of traders objected to the naming, citing Prime Minister Modi's vegetarianism. Fish trader Surendra Lashkari stated that "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." The Surat civic body, which constructed the market, clarified that the official naming process is not yet completed.

SMC Executive Engineer of the Central Zone, RD Ganjawala, said the SFMA had submitted a written application to the SMC Standing Committee chairman and Central Zone authorities seeking to name the facility after PM Modi. Mr. Ganjawala added that "The board was put up without an official resolution." Kalpesh Navsariwala, president of the SFMA, defended the move, stating the association had passed a resolution to name the market after Modi.

Mr. Navsariwala noted that the Centre sanctioned Rs 3 crore for the project under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, a program launched by the Modi government. He also credited the government with supporting the welfare of fishermen and said the market had generated employment opportunities.