Massive campaign and rally planned in Delhi on Basti issue

Addressing a press conference here at his residence former prime minister VP Singh had announced a one and half month long campaign in the jhuggi jhoori basti all first Delhi and neighbouring area followed by other places to highlight the plight of this people. It will culminate into a big rally behind Red Fort on May 16, one day before the parliament closes. Apart from Singh, Brinda Karat and Jogendra Sharma from CPI(M) , former speaker Rabi Ray and veteran socialist leader Surendra Mohan was present and also addressed the press.
Singh who had recently sat on dharana and spend two nights in the Saheed Chandrasehkar Azad camp in Wazipur along with others and prevented the closures from demolishing attacked the policy of neglecting the poor specially the urban poor made scathing comment. Pointing out to a news item that even the visiting world bank team has come down heavily on the railways for its recent demolition drive which has left hundreds of slum dwellers in the lurch and said to have stated that the drive is clear violation of the polices for projects assisted by the bank. And he wanted railway minister Mamata Banerjee to look into it. Singh in his usual style said that when the "Pope of market economy' says of human approach how our ruling class is behaving with them. He said most of the people those who are living in slums in Delhi and different cities are working for services sector and are rendering service to the middle class. But the whole system has made the middle class look differently to this problem. Although if they are removed and from the present places of dwelling it will adversely affect the middle class too. Singh said that in the name of "grabi hatao" we cannot through them in the sea.
Ruling class cannot marginalise lakhs and lakhs of working and toiling people. If we want to demolish the unauthorsed struture go and demolish those of the rich. He said when they go to rich they become like cat and all their bravery comes only when they go for the poor. This new thinking of total disregarding the dignity of the poor and the have nots will have to be changed and we will force that we have confidant he said.
About the wajirpur incidents he said that railways authorities it seems have stopped for the time being. Moreover, Both Jagmohan and Sheila dixit, had informed that they are looking into.
Singh said that everyone should realise about the social obligations and for this he will sought support from all quarters. He said one has to choose whether one is in the side of bulldozer on in the our side. In the name of beautification we cannot demolish the jhuggi jhiopri. We beautiful the jhoggir jopri instead in the shape of multi storied buildings. Singh then spoke in detail about the problems faced by the slum dwellers and listed their demands including naming of jhuggi jhopri as ,"Majdoor basti". He said as we have pointed out to the prime minister that no want should be uprooted from his or her home until and unless he is provided with an alternative site. We understand development and also important projects but that does not mean that only the poor had to bear all the burden. We want a national policy and that policy can only be successful when those preparing it talks to for those the policy is made, he was categorical. He said those who will be provided with flats and alternative dwellings the patta of that should be named both in the name of the head of the family and his and his wife.
Brinda Karat said that, this whole campaign against demolition which has begun from the wazipur poor issue may brought in focus the plight of the poor and total marginalisations in the centre stage of countries politics. She said that the problem of the jhuggi jhori dwellers will not end if they are provided dwellings far away from the place of their vocation. She said in Delhi according to the government no one is living below poverty line so the benefit of the targeted PDS is not avail in Delhi by poor . They will press this too.
V P Singh said he and those who are conducting the struggle for the last few days will be going from jhugi clusters to clusters. He himself will go on those days in which he is not under dialysis. The organisers will also bring out a path which will go around the city.
Earlier in the day, in his residence a meeting was held of those who have been conducting the struggle from which the programmes and action programme was taken.
Meanwhile during the day, government resorted to demolishing of dwellings in Karol Bagah area of more than 100 pacca houses. The sufferers made frantic call to VP Singh hose and the office of Delhi committee. When the leaders of Delhi CPI(M) Jogendra Sharma and state party secretary Pushpendra Grewal rushed to the spot they were told by the people of their woes. The leaders assured to take up the issue with the state government and central government authorities.