Is the Demolition of Jangpura Slum Justified According to HC? Delhi BJP Chief Sachdeva Speaks

Synopsis
Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva defends the demolition of the Jangpura slum, stating it's a court-mandated action. As AAP and Congress protest, Sachdeva emphasizes the importance of cleaning the Barapullah drain and providing alternative housing for displaced residents. This contentious issue raises questions about rehabilitation and political responsibility.
Key Takeaways
- Demolition based on court order
- Relocation to Narela flats
- Barapullah drain cleaning prioritized
- BJP's commitment to slum policies
- Political implications of slum displacement
New Delhi, June 1 (NationPress) In response to the uproar from opposition parties AAP and Congress regarding the demolition of a slum in the Jangpura locality of the national capital, Virendra Sachdeva, the President of the Delhi unit of BJP, clarified that the operation was executed following a court mandate.
Sachdeva mentioned that the relocation of slum residents from the Barapullah Madrasi Camp adjacent to Jangpura to apartments in Narela is not merely a routine administrative action, but is rooted in a Delhi High Court order aimed at eliminating slums constructed over a drain.
He stated that the BJP maintains its commitment to the principle of “jahan jhuggi wahin makan”, yet the existence of the Madrasi Camp along the Barapullah drain has obstructed essential cleaning efforts, significantly contributing to waterlogging in large areas during the monsoon season.
The directive to dismantle the Barapullah Madrasi Camp was issued under the regime of the Aam Aadmi Party via the Public Works Department, he noted.
Although residents contested this order, the High Court dismissed their challenge and prioritized the cleaning of the Barapullah drain, mandating removal on June 1.
Sachdeva expressed disappointment that the same AAP leaders, who had previously sanctioned removal via the PWD, are now inciting slum inhabitants.
“Our government’s compassionate approach ensures that, despite the Delhi High Court ordering the removal of the Barapullah Madrasi Camp on June 1, we offered them alternative housing and improved living conditions instead of mere displacement,” remarked Sachdeva.
The Delhi BJP President urged AAP leaders to focus on providing substantive rehabilitation for slum communities rather than engaging in superficial rhetoric, as they seem to consider slum dwellers as mere vote banks.