The homeless are left to fend for themselves after the demolition of over 500 shanties in Delhis Shakur Basti. Amit Bhardwaj reports about the agony and the uncertain future that await the residents.
On that unfortunate day the temperature dipped suddenly. Things could not have got any worse. Amid the remains was a torn tarpaulin sheet. Inside a mother was struggling to keep her three-month-old daughter warm by shielding her from the chilly winds, which continued unabated all day. This is how the father Mohammad Sabeer, 32, described the horrifying night following the demolition of over 500 shanties in Delhi’s Shakur Basti, the land owned by the railways. The girl child, a toddler yet to be named, is currently struggling for her life in the intensive care unit at the Bhagwan Mahavir hospital (Pitampura).
Mohammad Anwar, who suddenly became the focus of all tV channels and newspapers, is the most unfortunate among the ones hit by the demolition. Ruqaiyya, his six-month-old child, is no more. All that Anwar is left with is her memories, her grave and the humongous task of rebuilding his shattered life from scratch. “Yahan kaun apni iccha se reh raha hai, itna paisa nahi ki hum room rent par lekar rahen (Who wants to live here, we do not have the money to even rent a room),” says the daily wage worker. Anwar had sent his two other children, a son and a daughter, and wife Safeena to his in-laws place in Delhi.
Over 3,500 lives were affected in the demolition drive on 12 December which was carried out after giving a day’s notice. The jhuggi residents have Voter ID and Aadhar cards, which show addresses as the ones razed by the railway authorities. For them life has come to a grinding halt.
Railways’ official argued that Ruqaiyya died due to suffocation and not because of the demolition has put the onus back on her parents. Slamming the drive, the Delhi high Court, said, “A number of children are suffering out there. What was the hurry to demolish in December? You really don’t care about the people.”
This story is from the December 26 2015 edition of Tehelka.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 26 2015 edition of Tehelka.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Why Did Ratan Tata Feel Compelled To Take Charge Again?
Did Cyrus Mistry fall victim to an ossified corporate culture or did he violate Tata Sons’ ethos and culture? MG BanGa tells the story so far.
Misguided Youths Or Trained Terrorists?
As part of a dangerous trend emerging across the world, homegrown ISIL sympathisers are willing and attempting to carry out deadly terror attacks without any comprehensive support system.
Indian Railways: Living In Dreams
Indian Railways is changing track, giving up its separate Budget and experimenting with surge pricing on three popular trains. That leaves the behemoth with no funds to replace ageing assets and encourage further investments.
Priyanka Gandhi Agreed To Play Bigger Role In UP
Further delay in decision making could be detrimental to the party’s goal to rejuvenate its prospects in the State Assembly elections.
Mission 2019: Banega Swachh India?
Two years ago, Modi kicked off a cleanliness drive in a spectacular way. Showing the contrast between world cities and Gurgaon, MG BANGA suggests ways in which the mission can be accomplished by 2019.
The Goodwill Enjoyed By Mehabooba Mufti Has Been Erased!
Mehbooba Mufti risks losing her popularity and irking her party ranks by using New Delhi’s rulebook to deal with the unrest in Kashmir.
Is China's Support To Pakistan, Big Threat To India?
New Delhi needs to be cautious as in Pakistan’s scheme of things, strategic ties with China can serve as a powerful weapon to deal with adversaries like India.
UP's Finances Make Yogi Walk A Tight Rope
The government machinery is trying to deliver its best due to meagre financial resources.
Wooing With Farm Waivers
Taking a cue from Uttar Pradesh, more state governments including Maharashtra and Punjab could waive offloans to farmers to woo rural voters in the run-up to the 2019 general election.
Punjab CM's Unwelcoming Sajjan Wasn't A Kind Gesture
Amarinder shoots himself in the foot by refusing to meet Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan, who met Haryana CM and promised to increase bilateral businesses and also talked to SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar.
