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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Slum demolitions ignite fierce political storm
NEW DELHI: A series of demolition drives targeting jhuggi-jhopdi (JJ) clusters across the national capital has triggered sharp political confrontations and widespread public concern, as hundreds of families have been displaced with little clarity on their resettlement. Only this year, authorities have razed informal settlements in areas such as Wazirpur, Jailorwala Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Jangpura, citing court orders and environmental concerns. In one of the largest such operations in June, nearly 370 jhuggis were cleared at Madrasi Camp near the Barapullah drain. According to official data, 189 families deemed eligible were shifted to flats in Narela, while 181 were declared ineligible and left without an alternative shelter. The government has maintained that the demolitions are being carried out in line with legal mandates and only after identifying and rehabilitating eligible residents. On Sunday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta defended her administration's actions, stating that no demolition is taking place without a plan for rehabilitation. She added, the government has allotted Rs 700 crore for the development of slum areas under the 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Makan' scheme. She visited several affected JJ clusters to assure residents of better housing, sanitation, and road infrastructure in the coming months. The opposition, however, has not been convinced. AAP leaders have taken to the streets in protest, accusing the BJP-led administration of carrying out 'anti-poor' demolitions without adequate safeguards. At a major demonstration at Jantar Mantar last month, former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged the BJP was making good on his earlier warning that slums would be bulldozed if the party was elected to power. The AAP supremo warned if demolitions continued, the government 'would not survive three years.'
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Demolitions: Kejriwal Slams BJP
New Delhi: AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday urged slum dwellers to protest against the BJP-led govt's demolition drives and reject both the BJP and Congress in future elections. Addressing a protest at Jantar Mantar, Kejriwal said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi said 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Makan', but what he meant was 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Maidan'. His promises are false, and I urge you not to fall for them in future." He alleged that the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi govt has "ruined" the city in just five months. "We left a perfectly fine Delhi. But these people ruined it. There are long power cuts, school fees have been hiked, and their ministers and MLAs are busy looting Delhi," he charged. Calling for unity among slum dwellers, Kejriwal said, "There are 40 lakh slum dwellers. If you take to the roads, they will be forced to stop the demolitions." He added, "The Anna movement started from Jantar Mantar and removed the Congress from power. From here, a new movement will begin, and BJP's hold on power will also be shaken." You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi He urged people not to vote for either Congress or BJP, calling them "like brother and sister". "When Congress was in power, there were power cuts and school fees were arbitrarily hiked. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Adidas Three Shorts With 60% Discount, Limited Stock Available Original Adidas Shop Now Undo For 10 years, we did not let that happen. But after the BJP came to power, the same things are happening again," he said. Kejriwal also accused the BJP of targeting AAP leaders with FIRs. "They lodged FIRs against Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, and Saurabh Bharadwaj. Stop this game of FIRs and work for the people," he said. Sisodia and Jain are facing an anti-corruption branch (ACB) probe into alleged irregularities in classroom construction, while Bharadwaj and Jain were recently booked for delays in hospital projects. He said the BJP has a "10-engine govt" controlling various agencies, yet worsened Delhi's condition in five months. "I told you they will break your jhuggis, you didn't believe… didn't they break your jhuggis? Wait for some time, they will stop your free electricity as well," he said. "In our 10 years, we never displaced slum dwellers. This govt didn't even wait a year—within five months, they started evictions," he added. "People who cook in homes, drivers, security guards, the milkman, autowallahs come from jhuggis... if you will destroy their homes, then Delhi would not run even for a day," he added. AAP leader Atishi said, "This govt promised homes, but is instead evicting people from settlements it used for seeking votes." Bharadwaj added, "Whenever slums are demolished or colonies labelled illegal, it is AAP that stands with the people."
India Today
29-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Delhi betrayed in just 5 months: Arvind Kejriwal vs BJP showdown over demolitions
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday accused the BJP government of bulldozing slum settlements to benefit its "rich friends", warning that the ruling dispensation would not complete its term if the demolitions continue. The BJP, however, dismissed Kejriwal's protest as a "flop show", calling him a "double-faced leader" who failed the poor during supporters at Jantar Mantar, Kejriwal claimed the BJP, which returned to power in Delhi after 25 years, had betrayed its promise of "Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makan" and instead was clearing slums within months of forming the government. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of giving "fake guarantees" and warned that his party would launch a fresh agitation if demolitions were not been only five months of this (BJP) government in Delhi, and the people are forced to come to Jantar Mantar to protest against them. Before the (Assembly) elections, I had asked you not to vote for them because your 'jhuggi' is their target. They are destroying Delhi. In this hot weather, they are making the poor homeless," the Aam Aadmi Party chief said. Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 'liar', Kejriwal said, "PM Modi's guarantees are fake. He promised 'Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makan'. The truth is: 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Maidan'. They want to clear your land and hand it over to their friends".He warned Delhi's new BJP administration, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, "If you don't stop bulldozing homes, your government will not complete five years. It will be gone in three years. The Congress government was toppled from this very Jantar Mantar during the Anna Andolan — we will start another andolan (protest) if needed".advertisementAccusing the BJP of planning to scrap Delhi's free electricity scheme, Kejriwal added, "What I say turns out true. I told you they will bulldoze your homes — they did. Now I am telling you they will stop free electricity within a year". He also targeted both national parties. "BJP and Congress fought Delhi polls together. They are Behen Bhai. Both are pro-rich and anti-poor. Instead of working for people, they are busy playing FIR-FIR game — filing cases against Manish Sisodia, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Satyendar Jain. Delhi didn't vote for this FIR circus," the AAP chief said. Urging people not to trust the BJP's promises, he said, "Never trust Modi ki Guarantee. Like a fake product, his guarantees are fake," Kejriwal added. Hitting back at Kejriwal, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said AAP's rally had failed to draw real support from slum dwellers. "The so-called public meeting in the name of jhuggi residents flopped. Kejriwal showed his anarchic and unconstitutional face again," Sachdeva accused Kejriwal of hypocrisy, saying, "This is the same leader who forced poor slum dwellers out of Delhi during COVID instead of giving them protection. Today he sheds crocodile tears for them".advertisementSachdeva also claimed that AAP leaders were misleading people and inciting them to attack the Prime Minister's residence. "Their call to storm the PM's house shows their Naxalite face. Civil society has no place for such words," he added that while Kejriwal built a 'palace' for himself, he failed to allot ready flats in areas like Narela and Bawana to slum residents. "The BJP government is committed to giving better lives to those forced to live in inhuman conditions near drains and railway lines. We have already rehabilitated families in Kalka Ji, Jailerwala Bagh, Kalandar Colony and Kathputli Colony. The Jahan Jhuggi Wahan Makan drive will continue," the BJP chief said.- EndsMust Watch
NDTV
16-06-2025
- NDTV
200 Illegal Slum Structures Demolished In Delhi's Ashok Vihar
New Delhi: The air in Jailorwala Bagh, in Delhi's Ashok Vihar, hung thick with dust and despair on Monday as bulldozers, flanked by over 250 police personnel, tore through more than 200 illegal slum structures surrounding the railway line. Residents scrambled frantically, clutching whatever belongings they could salvage - tattered clothes, dented pots, a child's plastic toy - before the next wall crumbled. This anti-encroachment drive, the second that month following a similar operation on June 2, had targeted encroachments along Wazirpur's railway lines, backed by court orders and safety concerns. But for the 15,000 residents, many daily wage laborers like 13-year-old Wasim's family, the demolitions shattered lives and dreams. Wasim, who had lived in Jailorwala Bagh all his life, watched his home reduced to rubble. "It broke my heart," he told NDTV, his voice trembling. "I was excited to shift to the big colorful Swabhiman Flats allotted to us, but after going there, I realized the drinking water tasted sour, there were constant power cuts - it just didn't feel like home." The Swabhiman Flats, a complex of 1,675 apartments opened in January 2025, were meant to rehabilitate displaced families from Jailorwala Bagh. Yet, for Wasim and many others, the reality fell short of the promise. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) claimed progress, having rehabilitated around 1,100 residents so far. However, residents like Dillip Kumar, who had lived there since 1992 with a valid ration card, painted a bleaker picture. Speaking to NDTV, Mr Kumar said, "Over 3,100 people lived here. Around 500 whose homes were demolished are still waiting for flats. But slum dwellers from other demolished areas are also being allotted flats here." Mr Kumar alleged the DDA was "ruthless," citing removed electricity meters and a looming fear of eviction. "We were awaiting a court order, but I'm sure they'll break our homes and kick us out without relief," he added. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta defended the drive, emphasising safety. "If a railway line is encroached and there's an accident, who will be responsible?" she had asked at a press briefing. The Supreme Court upheld the need to clear unauthorized structures, but the human cost was undeniable. Families, given little notice, clutched belongings amid protests. The political blame game was in full swing. The BJP accused the AAP of mismanaging rehabilitation, while AAP leaders pointed to central government pressure and slammed the betrayal of schemes like 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahan Makaan' (housing where slums stand). Critics argued these drives pushed Delhi's urban poor into new slums without immediate solutions. Of the 15,000 residents, around 500 remained without allotted flats, and the Swabhiman complex, meant exclusively for Jailorwala Bagh, housed families from other demolished areas. For those like Wasim, whose daily-wage-earning father and housewife mother struggled to rebuild, and Kumar, who feared the next bulldozer, the poor were left questioning whether justice would ever find them.
The Hindu
08-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Cannot go against court orders to demolish slums, says Delhi CM
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Sunday (June 8, 2025) that the Government cannot go against court orders to demolish slums or remove encroachments. She promised the slum dwellers that there will be no unlawful demolitions. Responding to criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party over the demolition of Madrasi Camp on June 1, Ms. Gupta said the court had ordered its demolition as the Camp had encroached on the Barapullah drain causing waterlogging in the area, and hindering silt removal. Speaking at an event to launch the construction of a Jan Sewa camp at a slum cluster in Haiderpur, Ms. Gupta told the residents not to worry as they are lifeline of the city and the Delhi government would not demolish their homes. 'There were three recent demolitions. The first at Madrasi Camp was on the orders of the court. The second was at Wazirpur where a railway line was being encroached upon, and the third at Jailorwalabagh, where flats have been handed over to residents.' she said. 'If a railway line is being encroached, and there is an accident, then who will be responsible for it?' she asked. 'In Jailorwalabagh, if slum dwellers are rehabilitated and new people come and settle in the slum demanding compensation, the government will have to act.' Protest path AAP Delhi State president Saurabh Bharadwaj said the party held meetings with slum dwellers and had decided to launch a major movement against the demolitions on June 29. 'I appeal to all jhuggi residents — join this movement and raise your voice for your rights. We will gather at Jantar Mantar on June 29 and appeal to the Central government to take appropriate action on this issue,' said the AAP leader who visited the Madrasi Camp. The party criticised Mr. Gupta, saying the displaced residents of Madrasi Camp were provided homes in faraway Narela, and even those lack basic amenities. Leader of the Opposition Atishi questioned why the BJP was not staying true to its promise of 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahi Makaan' (in-situ rehabilitation). In a post in Hindi on X, Atishi said: 'Rekha ji, did the court also say that the BJP should not fulfil its promise of 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahi Makaan'? If the slums had to be demolished, then why weren't people given houses in nearby areas? 'Most people from the Madrasi Camp didn't get any housing. Those who did were given dilapidated houses 40 km away in Narela with no jobs, roads, schools or hospitals.' AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh who too visited the Madrasi Camp on Sunday, wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to order an immediate halt to all demolitions in slum areas, and ensure rehabilitation to all those displaced.
