The G20 Summit in Delhi Sparks Controversy Over Eviction of Slum Dwellers
Delhi, September 9 – The 18th summit of the G20 organization commenced in Delhi today with leaders from around the world gathering to discuss global issues. While the city has undergone significant changes to accommodate the summit, the event has brought about unintended consequences for some residents.
Among those affected are Dharmendra Kumar, Khushbu Devi, and their children, who have been living in slums near the venue of the G20 summit. However, they have now been forcibly evicted from their homes. A video highlighting their plight has been released on the DW Tamil YouTube channel.
Officials claim that the eviction is necessary to clean the area for the G20 conference. However, local residents argue that this is not an excuse to get rid of the poor. Khushbudevi, a slum dweller, suggests, “If you don’t like to see poor people like us, cover them with beautiful curtains or cloths so that we don’t see them.”
The people living in these slums are well below the poverty line, making it difficult to arrange immediate alternative accommodation. Dharmendra Kumar, Khushbudevi’s husband, explains, “I don’t earn enough to pay rent and live elsewhere. If we leave here, our children’s education will also be affected. The school is nearby, and they can study easily.”
Bulldozers have been clearing the Janata camp since last May, and residents were advised to evacuate. Officials argue that these huts were illegally built on government land. However, long-term residents struggle to comprehend the sudden action taken by the authorities.
“We have been living here for the past 30 years. Where will we go if our houses are suddenly demolished? We don’t have any facility or any other place,” laments a woman living in one of the huts, who fears that the authorities will suffer the consequences of the poor’s curse.
Some residents have approached the High Court to contest the eviction, but as of yet, there has been no relief. The court has even declared slum areas illegal, leaving the people living there without any recourse or shelter.
These evicted slum dwellers are now left without a place to go, taking refuge on the streets and uncertain about their future. The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of the poor and marginalized in the name of development and global summits.
As officials and world leaders discuss policies and agendas that will shape the world’s future, it is crucial to remember the impact these decisions have on vulnerable communities and to strive for inclusive and compassionate governance.