The Ruias, who own Phoenix Mills, are said to have paid compensation to the tune of Rs 3.5 to Rs 4 lakh to each worker. But Neera Adharkar, who is fighting for the employees on behalf of the Girangaon Bachao Andolan, says they would rather have a job that provides them a steady income. "Even if they were given a lumpsum amount of around Rs 2 lakh, I doubt they would be able to really build a new life with it," she says.

Meena Menon, vice-president of the GirniKamgar Sangharsh Samiti, which is also leading the agitation, says, "The workers only got their dues, gratuity and other things that they were legally entitled to. But that is not what the protest is about. This is a fight on behalf of the 13 lakh people who are part of the Girangaon (mill land) area, which comprises 53 different mills on 600 acres of land. You can't build luxury apartments in the name of development."

But it cannot be denied that the violence of August 14, when the property of the Bowling Company was damaged and its staff apparently threatened, has changed things. The agitationists now seek to clarify that they are not against the Bowling Company itself. "The bowling alley is a symbol of the things that have gone wrong. It is the final straw on the camel's back," says Menon.

"Let me tell you that about 20 years ago, the then government allowed the sale of some mill land to enable the mill owners to modernise equipment and continue production facilities. They sold the land all right, butwhat about production? People will get upset. How do you think gangsters like Arun Gawli and Amar Naik are made? They are from Girangaon, too. I won't say that any kind of violence is justified, but at the same time, I cannot say it won't happen."

Another charge being levelled by the agitationists is that visitors to the bowling alley dance and indulge in activities that offend the sensibilities of the middle-class Maharashtrian area. However, A D Singh, CEO of the Bowling Company, emphasises that no such activities are allowed. "We are merely offering pool and bowling facilities, and a restaurant. Bowling is a sport. There is nothing wrong going on here. Anyone is free to come and see that for themselves. We sympathise with those who are suffering, but pray, tell us how we are connected to this issue. The first tenants came to this place around 12 years ago, so why are these people targeting us? And it's not true that the Ruias who own Phoenix Mills own the Bowling Company, too.

They are justshareholders," he exhorts. His grouse against the protestors is that not once did they seek a dialogue with him.

Noted actor Vikram Gokhale, who participated in one of the workers' demonstrations, seems anxious to clarify his position. He says, "I made it very clear then, and let me repeat it to you now, that I am not involved in politics of any kind. I am not a flag-bearer of any party. I was informed that the workers who were laid off had been given a raw deal. The mill owners had declared that the mills were an unviable proposition and declared a lockout. But very smartly, they got the cloth manufactured at powerlooms in surrounding towns like Bhiwandi, stamped it as their own, and made money.

It is this exploitation, this snatching away of the livelihood of Mumbai's mill workers that I am opposed to. I don't claim to understand all the problems the workers are facing. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that neither the politicians nor the union leaders quite understand every aspect of the issue. But itis the people of Girangaon I feel close to, it is they who have made me what I am today. Which is why I felt I must stand up for them."

Right now, the agitation looks like a manifestation of the perennial battle between the haves and the have-nots, with the latter a little out of focus. But before it results in a revolution of sorts, a peaceful solution has to be found fast.