Congress pledges support to uprooted families

New Delhi, July 8

The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) has said that it will fight for the rights of families recently displaced from Chilla Khadar by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

‘Victims had valid residential proofs’

The DDA demolished nearly 200 houses at Chilla Khadar, leaving hundreds of poor people without any alternative place to go. Many of these were farming on the Yamuna floodplains with valid residential proofs. The DDA’s actions have not only displaced these families, but also destroyed their crops. — Anil Choudhary, Former DPCC president

DPCC president Devender Yadav criticised the demolition of nearly 200 houses, asserting that both the Kejriwal and Modi governments had neglected the welfare of the poor. He said the DDA’s recent actions reflected a disregard for the poor. “These families have lived and cultivated crops on the Yamuna floodplains for over 40 years with all necessary documentation to prove their residency,” he added.

Yadav also highlighted the purported contrast between the policies of the current government and the Congress-led UPA Government.

He said, “Under the Congress government, a policy was established to ensure that no dwelling units were demolished without providing alternative accommodation.”

“The BJP and AAP governments appear to have a policy aimed at uprooting the poor from Delhi. However, the Congress will spare no effort to protect the poor, if they were uprooted without relocation,” he added.

Former DPCC president Anil Choudhary also condemned the DDA’s actions, which he claimed violated court orders.

He said, “The DDA demolished nearly 200 houses at Chilla Khadar, leaving hundreds of poor people without any alternative place to go.”

“They came with bulldozers early in the morning, misrepresenting in court that the residents were conducting commercial activities,” he added.

Highlighting the “plight” of affected families, Choudhary said many of these were farming on the Yamuna floodplains with valid residential proofs.

“From Okhla Barrage to Chilla Khadar, nearly 1,500 families farm on these lands to earn their livelihood. The DDA’s actions have not only displaced these families, but also destroyed their crops,” he noted.

Choudhary announced that the Delhi Congress planned on meeting the Lieutenant-Governor and other authorities, and may even approach higher courts if necessary.

DPCC leaders and advocates Dinesh Kumar and Vipin Kumar also pledged legal support to the displaced families. “We will not stand by, while the rights of these families are trampled. The Congress will fight for their right to live with dignity,” they asserted.