Kalkaji: Homes of 350 families demolished by DDA, Congress attacks BJP

In a move that has triggered widespread outrage, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) bulldozed the homes of nearly 350 families in the Bhoomiheen JJ clusters of Govindpuri (Kalkaji), even though residents claim they held valid documents proving their eligibility.

The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) has launched a scathing attack on the BJP, accusing it of “banishing the poor instead of banishing poverty”.

DPCC chief Devender Yadav, who visited the site of demolition, held both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and newly-appointed Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta responsible for what he called a “cruel and calculated displacement”.

Yadav reminded reporters that CM Gupta had earlier promised that no jhuggi-jhopdi (JJ) cluster would be touched without first ensuring proper rehabilitation. “People had built their homes by saving every penny, in which they had been living for years, but the ruthless BJP government demolished them in one stroke.”

Recalling the approach taken by the former Congress-led Delhi government, Yadav pointed to an ordinance brought in by then chief minister Sheila Dikshit in 2011 to halt large-scale demolitions. “If the BJP truly cares for the poor, they should bring a similar ordinance immediately,” he said.

He also accused the BJP of using housing schemes for political optics. Before the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, PM Modi handed over flats to some of the JJ cluster residents.

The Congress leader demanded that the nearly 45,000 flats built under the Rajiv Ratan Awas Yojana during the Congress government be urgently allotted to displaced jhuggi dwellers who are now left homeless and abandoned by the system.

"Congress stands with all of them and we will continue raising our voice until they get justice and arrangements are made for their rehabilitation," added Yadav.