Delhi Demolitions: Displaced Citizens Protest Outside DDA HQ, Demand Resettlement

New Delhi: A march of citizens affected by the demolition drives in Delhi took place on Wednesday from INA Metro Station to headquarters of Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The protesting residents hailed from the various parts of the city where demolitions have taken place recently. The participation of young girls in the march was notable.

After the march, a delegation of displaced people from Priyanka Gandhi Camp in Vasant Vihar and the leadership of All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) submitted a memorandum to the DDA demanding dignified settlement for all the displaced people in Delhi who have been victims of the demolition drives.

The protest followed the demolition of over 100 homes in the Priyanka Gandhi Camp on June 16, resulting in the displacement of over 500 people.

The capital city has witnessed an extensive demolition campaign over the past two years, making the Priyanka Gandhi Camp demolition one among many in the past year.

The individuals gathered at the protest were primarily from Bella State, Tughalqabad, and Priyanka Gandhi camp, which had recently been demolished. The destruction of homes has been a devastating blow to the working class communities, as they are left without dignified living arrangements in the city. Many of these people are currently residing amidst the rubble that remains.

One protester, Radha, 35, expressed her reluctance to live in Delhi government’s shelter homes, citing concerns about their suitability for families. According to her, she visited these shelter homes herself and felt that these were unsafe for children and women.

“I personally visited the shelter homes. Though we are poor, I can’t risk my children to be there. These places are not safe for children and women”, she told NewsClick.

Radha said finding affordable housing was extremely difficult. Currently, she resides in a one-room set after her own house was destroyed in the demolition.

Amid heavy police presence and denial of permission from the police officials present at the protest site, the demonstrators tried to enter the DDA headquarters. However, they were prevented from doing so by the police and security forces stationed inside, resulting in the demonstration taking outside. The protesters raised questions about DDA's role in the demolitions and demanded resettlement, alleging that the agency had a responsibility to provide dignified housing rather than just shelter homes.

NewsClick tried to speak with the  DDA public relations officer (PRO) but was told that he was unavailable for the day due to various meetings. Attempts to contact DDA officials by phone went unanswered. The DDA has not yet released their official statement on the matter.

The majority of women participating in the protest were labourers and domestic helps.  Eighteen-year-old Varsha, who was participating in a protest for the first time, had come from the Priyanka Gandhi camp, which was demolished on May 19. Varsha voiced her concerns about continuing her education as her parents' income would be entirely consumed by rent.

“Coming here, seeing that other people have also been fighting the same battle as us, gives me hope. My question to the DDA is "how will I continue my studies if all my parents’ income goes for paying rent”, she added.

Varsha said she, along with other basti residents, would continue to fight for their right to dignified resettlement.

Neha, an AICCTU activist, told NewsClick that thousands of people had become homeless in recent months. Earlier, the affected citizens protested only within their local areas, but now the protests are being held in front of the relevant authorities.

“People have realised that solidarity with each other is the key to getting justice, they have now started going to other areas' protests as well”, she said.

The AICCTU leadership warned the government of more such protests in the city in the coming days, if it doesn’t wake up on the question of housing arrangements for the working people affected by its demolition policies.