A major political and humanitarian debate has erupted in Delhi after the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) demolished over 1,200 illegal shanties in the Govindpuri jhuggi cluster, situated between Kalkaji and Kalkaji Extension. Acting on Delhi High Court directions, the demolition drive left hundreds of slum dwellers displaced. While DDA claims the action was necessary to clear encroachment on public land, many families allege they were served eviction notices only three days before the drive, leaving them with little time to prepare.

The demolition has sparked political controversy, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Atishi calling the move an “anti-poor policy.” Representing the Kalkaji constituency, Atishi accused the BJP-led DDA of targeting vulnerable populations and misleading the court into approving the eviction. She questioned the BJP’s sincerity towards urban poor, stating that the party promised concrete houses for slum dwellers but delivered demolitions instead. In contrast, BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa defended the action, asserting that many displaced families have already been offered alternative housing and accused AAP of exploiting the issue for political gain.

Meanwhile, resident welfare associations (RWAs) from nearby DDA colonies such as Konark and Everest apartments welcomed the move, citing concerns over blocked roads, rising petty crimes, and deteriorating law and order due to the jhuggi’s expansion. Harjinder Singh Harry, RWA Federation General Secretary, said the unregulated growth of illegal settlements had made Kalkaji unsafe, especially due to the rise in snatching incidents involving minors. While he expressed hope for fair rehabilitation, he stressed the importance of restoring safety and order in the locality. The demolition has brought into focus the ongoing tension between urban development, housing rights, and law enforcement in the capital.