Mumbai’s Jain community has appealed to the Gujarat government for protection of their ancestral properties in the state, alleging widespread illegal sales and encroachments. The community, many of whom migrated from Gujarat to Mumbai over time, continues to own homes, agricultural lands, and other properties in their native villages. The Vagad Oswal sub-community from Kutch’s Vagad region has raised concerns over properties being sold by miscreants without the owners' knowledge. Team Vagad Charitable Trust, representing the sub-community, has formally written to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, demanding stricter measures to safeguard these assets and prosecute those involved in such fraudulent activities. The letter highlights media reports of property-related crimes targeting the Mumbai-based Jain community, which has caused significant distress among members. The community has warned that if the illegal activities persist, they may withdraw investments from the region, potentially affecting the local economy. According to Laxmichand Charla, Chairman Trustee of Team Vagad, skyrocketing land prices driven by the Narmada canal, renewable energy projects, and industrial developments have led to opportunistic land grabs. “Our community has been in the Kutch-Vagad region for over 400 years. If these illegal sales don’t stop, we will have no choice but to sell off all our properties,” he stated. The Trust has urged the Gujarat government to take swift action to restore confidence among the community and prevent further exploitation. (FPJ)