A row erupted in Surat over a newly built municipal fish market in the Nanpura-Lakkadkot area after a signboard reading “Shri Narendra Modi Wholesale Fish Market” was installed at the entrance without official approval.
Key Aspects of the Controversy
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Lack of Civic Body Approval
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The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) clarified that no formal resolution or approval was passed by the Standing Committee or General Body to name the market after Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Official civic budget documents list the facility simply as a municipal fish market project.
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Objections from Local Merchants
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Local fish trader Surendra Laskari, speaking for members of the Kahar-Machi community, raised objections regarding appropriateness, pointing out that PM Modi is a strict vegetarian and associating his name with a non-vegetarian wholesale venue is unsuitable.
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Opponents argued the market should instead be named after the local fishing community.
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Defense by the Merchant Association
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Kalpesh Navsariwala, president of the Surat Fish Merchant Association (SFMA), defended the signboard, stating it was installed as a tribute to PM Modi’s support for the fisheries sector.
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He pointed out that central funding of ₹3 crore was provided for the facility under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).
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Civic Body Intervention
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SMC officials visited the site to remove the unauthorized board. However, local traders gave a verbal assurance that they would take down the signboard themselves while the official naming application is processed through civic channels.
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Next Steps
To follow updates on municipal decisions regarding civic property naming policies in Surat:
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Visit the official portal of the Surat Municipal Corporation for official resolutions and standing committee notices.
