New Delhi: The demolition drive in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area came to a halt after Supreme Court stepped in and called for ‘status quo’ till next hearing of the matter on Thursday. The bulldozers have returned but the area is still simmering. Large number of Delhi cops remain deployed in the area.
Here is what happened:
1) Jahangirpuri area turned into a fortress this morning, with hundreds of policemen assembling in the area for facilitating demolition drive. North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) sought deployment of at least 400 policemen for dismantling & bringing down illegal structures in the area.
2) As number of bulldozers came marching down, it revived scenes of govt crackdown on rioters and stone pelters in other BJP ruled states like Madhya Pradesh, UP & Gujarat. Initially, it was seen as Delhi Police clamping down on rioters & perpetrators of violence who indulged in violence during Shobha Yatra on Saturday. However, it soon became clear that it was a demolition drive of illegal structures by MCD and not a penal action by the Delhi Police.
3) Bulldozers brought down many illegal structures in the area where the rioting & arson took place during Shobha Yatra. Illegal shops & extensions of buildings were demolished by bulldozers in presence of heavy police presence.
4) Among the most prominent action was demolition of structures just adjacent the local mosque, which came under scrutiny for allegedly hosting rioters & stone pelters during the violence. Several shops just outside the mosque were demolished, triggering outpouring of anger & outrage from the minority community.
5) The bulldozer drive in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri saw a major twist as the Supreme Court stepped in. Hearing a petition by Jamait-e-Ulema, the apex court ordered to put an immediate halt on the demolition drive till tomorrow. There appeared to be some confusion for sometime but soon the bulldozers got in action mode and started demolishing illegal encroachments.
6) When Special Police Commissioner Dependra Pathak was asked about SC order, he said that let civic agency take a call on this as Delhi Police was just aiding in the drive. CPI (M) leader Brinda Karat also reached the site and said that she was here to sensitise officials about the court order. She however told the press that she was assured by officials that demolition will be halted.
The law and the constitution have been bulldozed by illegal demolitions. At least the Supreme Court & its order should not be bulldozed: CPIM leader Brinda Karat in Jahangirpur pic.twitter.com/ivnal2rkba
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2022
7) The demolition triggered political sparring with Rahul & Owaisi lambasting the BJP over targeted action on certain sections. The anti-encroachment order was ordered, reportedly on the letter of Delhi BJP chief to Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh demanding razing of illegal properties by the rioters. AAP also accused the BJP of fomenting trouble in selected areas for drawing political mileage.
8) Delhi Mayor termed it a routine exercise but it was the timing of execution that triggered talks of political motive behind the drive. However, residents were enraged and agitated for high-handedness of the police officials. They didn’t receive any notice or order and the drive caught them unaware.
#WATCH | Despite SC order to maintain status-quo on demolition drive, NDMC continues anti-encroachment drive in the Jahangirpuri area of Delhi pic.twitter.com/TW07OM2WFE
— ANI (@ANI) April 20, 2022
9) The Apex Court had to reportedly step in twice for stopping the bulldozers. Senior Advocate Dushyan Dave told the court that the demolition was continuing despite Supreme Court’s status quo order. Following this, the court registry was directed to communicate the order directly to municipal authorities and Delhi police officials.
10) The sudden action has led to mounting losses for locals, who were seen picking rubbles after the return of bulldozers. A couple of them were teary-eyed while others still in shock to react. However, the flattening of structures close to the mosque has left the community agitated, as they claim it was a targeted action by authorities to harass them.
