Rahul Gandhi Slams BJP Over Delhi Slum Demolitions, Calls for Justice

Rahul Gandhi Slams BJP Over Delhi Slum Demolitions, Calls for Justice

Rahul Gandhi’s critics dismiss his response as opportunistic, accusing him of visiting crisis sites for “cheap political mileage” without offering tangible relief. 

RMN News Delhi Desk
July 27, 2025

On July 27, 2025, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to X to condemn the recent demolition of slums in Delhi, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government of heartlessly displacing hundreds of poor families. 

In a poignant video message posted in Hindi, Gandhi questioned the emotional toll of such actions, stating, “Imagine if your own parent, child, or sibling was suddenly taken off their roof—how would you feel if your entire family was made homeless in one fell swoop?” He described the demolished homes as more than just structures, calling them the “dreams, dignity, and livelihood” of the affected families.

Gandhi’s post has intensified an ongoing political firestorm in Delhi, where the demolition drive, reportedly initiated by the BJP-controlled Delhi Development Authority (DDA), has drawn sharp criticism. 

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Atishi, representing Kalkaji, last month labeled the demolitions an “anti-poor policy,” alleging that the BJP opposed slum dwellers in court and that residents were “forced out of their homes, beaten with sticks.” 

The demolitions, critics argue, contradict the BJP’s pre-election promise of providing concrete houses to the urban poor, a commitment tied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “jahan jhuggi wahi makaan” (a house where the slum is) slogan for in-situ rehabilitation.

The BJP, in response, has claimed that displaced families were relocated to alternative housing, questioning AAP’s own record on delivering homes for the poor.

However, the demolitions have sparked broader outrage, with Left parties and activists protesting at Jantar Mantar months ago against what they call a “selective demolition campaign.” 

They link the evictions to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s “cleanliness” drive, which critics argue prioritizes a “green and aesthetically pleasing city” over the needs of Delhi’s most vulnerable residents.

Gandhi’s critics, however, dismiss his response as opportunistic, accusing him of visiting crisis sites for “cheap political mileage” without offering tangible relief. Nonetheless, Gandhi pledged solidarity with the displaced, framing the issue as a fight for “justice and humanity.” As tensions rise, the demolitions continue to expose deep political divides over urban development and the rights of Delhi’s poorest citizens.