Tensions flared in northwest Delhi’s Shalimar Bagh after AAP accused the government of mercilessly demolishing homes of the economically weaker sections. The party branded the move a ‘war on the poor,’ sparking immediate backlash and on-ground mobilization.
Bulldozers descended without much fanfare, toppling shanties that served as lifelines for daily wage earners and their kin. Heart-wrenching images of belongings strewn across streets went viral, prompting AAP’s rapid response.
In a packed presser, party convenor Gopal Rai alleged collusion between local bodies and higher powers, questioning the timing amid political maneuvering. ‘Bulldozer justice has no place in a democracy,’ he asserted, vowing legal recourse.
Affected families, many from neighboring states, recounted sudden eviction nightmares. Children missed school; elders lost medications. AAP set up helpdesks, promising plotted land and financial aid under their welfare schemes.
Delhi’s urban development department defended the action as routine anti-encroachment, aligned with Supreme Court directives on illegal builds. They displayed notice records, challenging claims of no intimation.
Observers note this fits a pattern where enforcement intensifies pre-election to showcase ‘clean governance.’ AAP’s amplification could sway voter sentiment in densely populated pockets, pressuring rivals to address rehabilitation.
Beyond the blame game, the episode spotlights Delhi’s housing crisis: 1.5 million slum dwellers versus scarce affordable units. Solutions demand policy over politics—integrated planning, fair notices, and inclusive growth. Until then, sites like Shalimar Bagh embody the capital’s stark inequalities.