Delhi High Court Orders DDA to Halt Demolition of Pakistani Hindu Refugee Camp
Published on: March 13, 2024.
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Delhi High Court Halts Demolition of Pakistani Hindu Refugee Camp
In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has issued an interim order directing the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to refrain from taking any coercive action against residents of the Pakistani Hindu Refugee Camp at Majnu Ka Tilla. The court heard a plea filed by a Pakistani Hindu refugee seeking protection for the refugee camp until alternative land is allocated to them. The interim order takes into account the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, which aims to provide shelter to persecuted non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
The court’s decision comes after considering the central government’s statement made in a previous petition in 2013, in which it expressed support for Pakistani nationals belonging to minority communities. To further address the issue, the court has also issued notices to the DDA and the central government, seeking their responses.
The petitioner’s counsel highlighted a public notice pasted in the area, which demanded that residents vacate the premises by March 6, 2024, with the threat of demolition if they fail to comply. However, the counsel emphasized that the Pakistani Hindu refugees have been residing in Majnu Ka Tilla for many years, with basic facilities provided by the authorities. The refugees’ children are enrolled in nearby government schools, and their exams are currently underway.
Considering the previous statement made by the Additional Solicitor General of India in 2013, assuring support to the Hindu community migrating from Pakistan, the court ordered that no coercive action should be taken against the petitioner until the next hearing.
The DDA, represented by its lawyer, informed the court that the National Green Tribunal has ordered the removal of all encroachments on the Yamuna Flood Plain Zone, including the area adjacent to Gurudwara Majnu Ka Tilla. The DDA is obligated to comply with the tribunal’s orders, despite sympathizing with the petitioner.
The court’s interim order provides temporary relief to the Pakistani Hindu refugees, ensuring their safety and security until the matter is further reviewed.
Source: News9Live
