Surat fish market named after PM Modi sparks row

SURAT: A controversy has erupted over the naming of a newly built wholesale fish market in Surat after a section of traders objected to a board carrying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s name, while the civic body clarified that the official naming process is yet to be completed.A large hoarding reading “Shree Narendra Modi Wholesale Fish Market”, along with a photograph of the prime minister, was installed at the entrance of the market at Lakkadkot in Nanpura. The facility has been constructed by the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC).Some traders opposed the naming, with fish trader Surendra Lashkari arguing that Modi, being a vegetarian, should not be associated with a fish market.“Because Modi is a vegetarian, this board should not be put up,” Lashkari said.However, Kalpesh Navsariwala, president of the Surat Fish Merchant Association (SFMA), defended the move, saying the association had passed a resolution to name the market after Modi.