Tamil Nadu Government Offers Support to Madrasi Camp Residents Opting to Return Home

On March 18, a major demolition drive began at Madrasi Camp - a slum settlement built along the Barapullah drain in Jangpura, Southeast Delhi - following an order from the Delhi High Court. The authorities said that they were removing illegal structures by trafficking about 16-km-long Barapullah drain and causing severe waterlogging in surrounding areas during the monsoon season.

The demolition, which took place in the presence of a large contingent of Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, involved over 300 slum structures. Madrasi Camp, built between 1968 and 1970, is home to around 370 families, the majority being from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

The tension at the site was palpable, as residents expressed anger with what they say is an unfair process and a lack of rehabilitation. So far, while 215 families have been qualified for rehabilitation and offered EWS (economically weaker section) flats in Narela under the Prime Minister’s ‘Jahan Jhuggi Waha Makaan’ scheme, it remains unclear for the rest of the families.

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Initially, the first list of beneficiaries is only 189 families being qualified to be relocated, but a second survey conducted by the Eligibility Determining Committee later qualified 26 more families for relocation. But many families also reported that they did not have allotment or otherwise clear indication of the process. The lack of clarity and information is only adding to the confusion and unrest.

"As per the instructions of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the 'Tamil Nadu House' in New Delhi has been tasked with actively facilitating and overseeing coordination efforts. Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the welfare of persons of Tamil Nadu origin residing outside the State, the Government of Tamil Nadu is in active coordination with the residents of 'Madrasi Camp' to ensure that every possible support is extended to them without delay. As directed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the Government of Tamil Nadu shall assist the residents of 'Madrasi Camp' who choose to return to their native districts in Tamil Nadu. Comprehensive support, including assistance for livelihood and other essential needs, will be extended to them," the release read.

“What should I say? They have looted us. We have nothing left now. ‘Jahan Jhuggi Waha Makaan’ is a lie. They lie about allocating homes,” said one weeping resident as her home was demolished.

This demolition procedure stems from a word order by a Delhi High Court, handed down on May 9, 2023, subsequent to a Public Interest Litigation that came post the monsoon floods of last year in Nizamuddin East and Jangpura. The Court designated Madrasi Camp as an encroached upon area that obstructed the Barapullah drain, and ordered a range of agencies including Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and Public Works Department (PWD) to vacate the area.

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In September 2024, during the first wave of demolitions, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that the BJP was conducting evictions without a plan in place, while BJP leaders claimed that AAP were failing to implement rehabilitation measures. And both parties appeared at the demolition site at least twice before the Assembly elections in February, promising support.

The Tamil Nadu government is currently supporting residents impacted by the demolitions. The Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi is managing the coordination of relief activities. Following a press release from the Government of Tamil Nadu, the Tamil State is also supporting residents who wish to return to Tamil Nadu via coordination of livelihood and hiring of local district administration.

"As per the instructions of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the 'Tamil Nadu House' in New Delhi has been tasked with actively facilitating and overseeing coordination efforts. Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the welfare of persons of Tamil Nadu origin residing outside the State, the Government of Tamil Nadu is in active coordination with the residents of 'Madrasi Camp' to ensure that every possible support is extended to them without delay. As directed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the Government of Tamil Nadu shall assist the residents of 'Madrasi Camp' who choose to return to their native districts in Tamil Nadu. Comprehensive support, including assistance for livelihood and other essential needs, will be extended to them," the release read.

The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board stated that the demolition is being conducted according to the High Court's directions, and after determining eligibility for resettlement. But with many families still left without any clear path to relocation, protests and the display of hopelessness continued at the site.

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