A major political storm brewed in Delhi as AAP charged the ruling dispensation with orchestrating the destruction of humble abodes in Shalimar Bagh, home to the city’s labor underclass. The accusation has galvanized supporters and drawn sharp rebuttals.
Dawn witnessed mechanical arms dismantling informal settlements, displacing dozens overnight. AAP decried it as punitive populism, with leaders livestreaming the fallout to underscore governmental callousness.
‘Modi’s bulldozer raj reaches Delhi slums,’ tweeted AAP’s Sanjay Singh, linking it to national narratives. On-site, party workers shielded families from further action, coordinating with NGOs for temporary shelters.
Kejriwal announced a ‘Janta Jalao Andolan’—a public protest—while committing funds from MLA discretionary grants for rebuilding. Legal teams prepared PILs citing violations of eviction protocols.
Municipal authorities clarified the drive addressed long-standing illegalities on MCD land earmarked for parks and passages. Digital trails of warnings were presented, though critics argue inadequate outreach to non-English speakers.
This flare-up mirrors recurring urban clearance battles, balancing infrastructure needs against social equity. Economically, it disrupts livelihoods; politically, it hands AAP a potent issue.
Looking ahead, Delhi needs robust frameworks: slum upgradation policies, community consultations, and transparent timelines. The Shalimar Bagh saga, if mishandled, could erode trust in institutions, reminding all that cities thrive when no one is left behind.