Narendra Modi Fish Market Naming Row Erupts in Surat

SURAT: A ₹3.90-crore fish market in Surat has landed in a political and civic controversy even before its formal inauguration, after traders put up a board naming it ‘Shri Narendra Modi Wholesale Fish Market’ without an apparent formal resolution of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC).

The newly constructed market at Nanpura-Lakkadkot has triggered objections from some fish traders, who questioned the use of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s name for a fish market, citing his vegetarian lifestyle.

Fish market leader Surendra Lakshi said the naming was inappropriate and alleged that the board had been installed arbitrarily by the association leadership.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a pure vegetarian. It is not appropriate to associate his name with a non-vegetarian market,” Lakshi said, demanding that the board be removed.

He said the market could instead be named after the Kahar-Machi community, which has traditionally been associated with the fishing trade.

However, Sur Fish Merchant Association president Kalpesh Navsariwala defended the decision, arguing that Modi’s government has taken several measures for the fishing community, including establishing a dedicated fisheries ministry and supporting the sector through schemes.

“Prime Minister Modi has created a separate ministry for fishermen and allocated substantial funds for the sector. Therefore, there is no reason to object to his name,” Navsariwala said, adding that traders would oppose any attempt to remove the board.

The controversy has also raised questions over the naming procedure. SMC Central Zone Executive Engineer Rajesh Ganjawala said no formal resolution had been passed to rename the market. He said civic officials had visited the site to remove the board, but returned after traders assured them that it would be removed themselves.

The market itself has a long history. Proposed in 2018, construction was halted in 2020 following objections from the National Monument Authority. Work resumed after a revised NOC and the facility was eventually completed with amenities including cold storage.