The residents of Jai Hind Camp, numbering around 5000, have been living without electricity for the past eight days. With Delhi reeling under sweltering summer heat and continuous rainfall, the situation in the camp is dire. Infants, pregnant women, the elderly and the sick are being forced to suffer without even the basic relief of a fan. The rains have worsened the situation, turning the area into a mosquito-infested zone, increasing the threat of disease and infection.

The power cut is reportedly the result of a land ownership dispute between the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and local landowners. Caught in this political and legal crossfire are working-class families, primarily from West Bengal, UP, and Bihar, who migrated to the capital for a better life.

Ravi Rai added that Godi media is painting the majorly Bengali speaking Hindus and Muslims of Jai Hind Camp as Bangladeshi encroachers to build a narrative that justifies their dehumanisation and displacement. In reality, the Jai Hind Camp houses a Mandir and a Masjid only a few meters from each other and the residents live in harmony with each other undivided by their religious faith. A majority of the residents have been living in the area for the past 30 years. They work as mechanics, sanitation workers, domestic workers and tea stall vendors to earn a living in the capital city where they migrated seeking better employment and facilities for themselves and their families.

“The labelling of the working poor as “illegal”, “encroachers” and a “burden” is a characteristic aspect of the communal and anti-poor politics of the BJP that has now consolidated its power in Delhi,” added Shweta Raj.

The threat of demolition at Jai Hind Camp has been preceded by the demolition drives at Wazirpur, Bhoomiheen Camp, Govindpuri and Okhla that have all targeted Delhi working poor. The slogan of ‘Jahaan Jhuggi, Waheen Makaan’ before elections and ‘Jahaan Jhuggi, Waheen Bulldozer’ after elections has become the reality of Delhi working class areas.

“The passing of the anti-worker labour codes that threatens the livelihood of the labouring class has been accompanied by the BJP government’s bulldozer taking away the people's right to shelter. The BJP seems to have mastered the technique of false promises to voters before elections followed by immediate land grab, displacement and attacks after elections,” said Akash Bhattacharya.

The fact finding team comprised of CPIML Delhi State Secretary Ravi Rai, AICCTU Delhi council member Akash Bhattacharya, AIPWA Delhi President Shweta Raj, AILAJ Delhi committee member Sagarika, and AISA President Neha.

While the legal battle of the people of Jai Hind Camp is on, the citizens of Delhi must stand in solidarity with the migrant workers' right to shelter and livelihood.