Historic Azad Maidan Morcha Unites Seven Lakh Maharashtra Paan Vendors, Mahasangh Seeks Fair And Uniform Enforcement Of Law; meets Dy CM, FDA Minister
In one of the largest demonstrations by Maharashtra’s paan trading community, the Maharashtra Pan Vyapari Mahasangh led a historic morcha at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan, bringing together representatives of more than seven lakh paan vendors from across the state. The peaceful demonstration was organised to protest what the Mahasangh described as the disproportionate invocation of Section 328 of the IPC and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against small traders.
Addressing the gathering, Maharashtra Pan Vyapari Mahasangh State President and Spokesperson Ajit Suryavanshi reaffirmed the organisation’s complete faith in the judiciary and said the matter is presently before the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
“The matter is before the Hon’ble Supreme Court and we have complete faith in the judiciary. No final decision has been delivered yet. Earlier, both High Courts had held that Section 328 cannot be invoked in such cases. We only seek justice and uniform application of the law,” he said.
Suryavanshi pointed out that pan masala is recognised as a standardised food product under a law enacted by Parliament and is legally manufactured and sold in different parts of the country.
“If that is the legal position, why should traders in Maharashtra alone be subjected to such stringent action? We are only asking that the law be implemented fairly and uniformly across India,” he added.
The Mahasangh maintained that while it fully supports strict action against anyone engaged in illegal activities or the sale of prohibited narcotic substances, laws such as MCOCA, which are intended to combat organised crime, should not be applied against ordinary small traders carrying out legitimate retail business.
Suryavanshi also informed the gathering that representatives of the Maharashtra Pan Vyapari Mahasangh have met Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal allng with the morcha to present the concerns of paan traders. According to the Mahasangh, both leaders patiently heard the delegation and assured them that the issues would be examined sympathetically and an appropriate solution would be explored within the framework of the law. The organisation expressed hope that these assurances would soon translate into concrete action.
Recognising the economic realities faced by small traders, Suryavanshi said the Mahasangh never compelled any shopkeeper to shut his establishment.
“Our business survives on daily earnings. If any trader chose to keep his shop open because his family’s livelihood depended on that day’s income, we had absolutely no objection. This movement itself is about protecting livelihoods, not disrupting them,” he said.
The Mahasangh urged the Maharashtra Government to adopt a fair and nationally consistent approach if it believes certain products require prohibition, instead of taking selective action against retailers in Maharashtra alone. It also appealed for a clear distinction between organised criminal activity and legitimate retail trade.
The gathering further resolved that the dignity of the paan trade must be protected at all costs. The Mahasangh appealed to every paan shop owner to ensure that illegal narcotic substances are never sold through their establishments, emphasising that the actions of a few individuals should never tarnish the reputation of lakhs of honest traders. It reiterated that anyone found indulging in illegal activities should face strict action under the law.
The Maharashtra Pan Vyapari Mahasangh said the historic Azad Maidan morcha represented not only more than seven lakh paan traders but also the livelihoods of lakhs of families dependent on the traditional paan trade. The organisation reiterated that it remains committed to pursuing democratic dialogue, legal remedies and constructive engagement with the Government while seeking fair, equal and uniform enforcement of the law across the country.
By Sunder
