Relief For Pak Hindus, Delhi HC Halts Demolition Of Their Homes

The Delhi High Court ruled that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) cannot take any forceful measures against the Pakistani Hindu refugee camp located in Majnu Ka Tilla area of the city until the next scheduled hearing.

Delhi High Court directs DDA (Delhi Development Authority) to not undertake any demolition against the Pakistani Hindu refugees who have been living in Yamuna floodplains since 2011.
A petition has been filed in the High Court challenging the March 4 notice asking the residents… pic.twitter.com/Zd9xWNYhHR
— ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2024

Justice Mini Pushkarna, in a ruling on March 12, stated, "Considering the statement made on behalf of the then Additional Solicitor General of India, as recorded in order dated 29th May, 2013 in W.P.(C) No. 3712/2013 that the Union of India shall make endeavor to extend all support to the Hindu community which has entered India from Pakistan, it is directed that no coercive action shall be taken against the petitioner, till the next date of hearing”,

The High Court was addressing a petition filed by a refugee named Ravi Ranjan Singh, who sought instructions from the authorities to refrain from disturbing or dismantling the Pakistani Hindu refugee camp in Majnu Ka Tilla until an alternative plot of land is allocated to them. This request is particularly pertinent in light of the Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019, wherein the central government aims to provide sanctuary to persecuted non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.

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The counsel representing the petitioner informed the court that a public notice dated March 4 was posted in the area, instructing residents to vacate the premises by March 6. Failure to comply would result in the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) demolishing their camp.

Pakistani Hindu refugees have been living in Majnu Ka Tilla for a long time, receiving basic amenities provided by the authorities. Additionally, it was noted that their children attend nearby government schools, and as their examinations are currently underway, their displacement would disrupt their education.

Prabhsahay Kaur, representing the DDA, informed the court that on January 29, the National Green Tribunal issued an order instructing the removal of all encroachments on the Yamuna Flood Plain Zone adjacent to the southern area of Gurudwara Majnu Ka Tilla on the Yamuna River Belt in Delhi.

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