Where there’s Slum, there’s a Ground: Kejriwal on Protest against Demolitions
On Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal joined a protest at Jantar Mantar, where he strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the recent wave of slum demolitions in the national capital. The AAP leader’s remarks came as a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been accused of failing to deliver on his promises of providing affordable housing to the poor.
Speaking at the protest, Kejriwal said, “Jahan jhuggi, wahan maidan” or “Where there’s slum, there’s a ground.” He added that the Prime Minister had appealed for votes with promises of housing, but what he meant was not homes, but empty grounds. The Delhi CM’s remarks were a reference to the recent demolition drives carried out by the BJP-led Delhi government, which have left thousands of families without homes.
Kejriwal claimed that around 40 lakh people live in Delhi slums, and the recent demolitions have left them without a roof over their heads. He accused the BJP of being insensitive to the plight of the poor and of prioritizing the interests of big corporates and developers over those of the marginalized sections of society.
The Delhi CM’s comments were a direct attack on the Prime Minister’s much-touted “Housing for All” scheme, which was launched in 2015 with great fanfare. The scheme aimed to provide affordable housing to all sections of society, particularly the poor and the marginalized. However, the scheme has been criticized for being slow to take off and for failing to deliver on its promises.
Kejriwal’s remarks were also seen as a blow to the Prime Minister’s reputation, which has been damaged in recent times by a series of controversies, including the Rafale deal, the Rafale scam, and the alleged mismanagement of the economy.
The AAP leader’s criticism of the Prime Minister was not limited to his housing scheme. He also accused him of being responsible for the economic crisis facing the country, which has resulted in high levels of unemployment and inflation. Kejriwal said that the Prime Minister’s policies had benefited only a select few, while the majority of the population was struggling to make ends meet.
The protest at Jantar Mantar was attended by hundreds of people, including activists, students, and workers from various unions and organizations. The protesters demanded that the Delhi government take immediate steps to provide affordable housing to the poor and to stop the demolitions of slums.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been accused of being anti-poor and of prioritizing the interests of big corporates and developers over those of the marginalized sections of society. The party has been criticized for its handling of the economy, which has resulted in high levels of unemployment and inflation.
The AAP leader’s remarks were seen as a major embarrassment for the Prime Minister, who has been accused of being out of touch with the common man. The Prime Minister has been criticized for his handling of the economy, which has resulted in high levels of unemployment and inflation.
The Delhi CM’s comments were also seen as a blow to the Prime Minister’s reputation, which has been damaged in recent times by a series of controversies, including the Rafale deal, the Rafale scam, and the alleged mismanagement of the economy.
The AAP leader’s criticism of the Prime Minister was not limited to his housing scheme. He also accused him of being responsible for the economic crisis facing the country, which has resulted in high levels of unemployment and inflation. Kejriwal said that the Prime Minister’s policies had benefited only a select few, while the majority of the population was struggling to make ends meet.
The protest at Jantar Mantar was attended by hundreds of people, including activists, students, and workers from various unions and organizations. The protesters demanded that the Delhi government take immediate steps to provide affordable housing to the poor and to stop the demolitions of slums.
In conclusion, the protest at Jantar Mantar was a powerful display of the anger and frustration of the people of Delhi, who are demanding affordable housing and an end to the demolitions of slums. The AAP leader’s remarks were a scathing attack on the Prime Minister and the BJP, and highlighted the need for urgent action to address the housing crisis facing the city.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/arvind-kejriwal-modi-jantar-mantar-10095700/lite/
