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The Hindu
11 hours ago
- 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.
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI(M) condemns eviction notices to slum dwellers
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Wednesday claimed that notices are being issued for demolition of slums and informal settlements across Delhi without providing proper rehabilitation. CPI(M) Delhi secretary Anurag Saxena said that the National Green Tribunal's 2019 order to clear unauthorised structures across the Yamuna floodplain or drains in the Capital has been exploited by the BJP-led Central government to displace working-class bastis — treating long-standing communities as 'encroachments' and triggering large-scale evictions without proper rehabilitation. 'Under the guise of 'riverfront revitalisation' and 'beautification drives', land is being cleared for entertainment complexes and commercial developments that serve corporate interests, not public welfare. CPI(M) condemns this grotesque inversion of environmentalism, where the rights of the working class are sacrificed to fuel real estate profits,' Mr. Saxena said, adding that two slums in south-east Delhi's Taimur Nagar and at Bela Road have been demolished in the last one month. He said that evicting these families without any proper rehabilitation measures is inhumane and a violation of their constitutional rights. Regarding Madrasi Camp in south Delhi, Mr. Saxena said that the party strongly opposes any demolition, forced eviction or relocation to Narela, which lies nearly 50 km away from their current settlement. 'Such a move would severely disrupt their livelihoods, cut off access to essential services like schools and healthcare, and push families further into economic hardship,' he said. The residents of Madrasi Camp have been opposing eviction notices issued to them and they do not want to shift to Narela, where they have been offered alternative flats. 'Immediate halt to all evictions and demolitions until every resident's appeal is fairly heard and resolved. Rehabilitation in-situ, or within a 5 km radius, per the 'Jahan Jhuggi, Wahaan Makaan' promise and government policies, to ensure continued access to livelihoods, education, essential services and community. Construction of flats on nearby vacant DDA land should be undertaken, if no appropriate housing is available, to comply with protocols and legal obligation,' the CPI(M) said in a statement.
