New Delhi
The Delhi High Court has issued a directive, providing relief to Pakistani Hindu refugees residing at the Majnu Ka Tilla camp since 2011, by instructing the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to refrain from conducting any demolition activity in the area. This decision came in response to a petition challenging the notice issued by the DDA, with the High Court passing an interim order on Tuesday.
The Central Government’s commitment, as stated in a 2013 petition, to support the Hindu community migrating from Pakistan, especially in light of the recently notified Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Justice Mini Pushkarna directed the DDA to suspend any coercive actions against the petitioners until the next hearing scheduled for March 19. Additionally, the court issued notices to the DDA and asked for the Central Government to be included in the proceedings, directing them to submit an amended memo of parties within three days.
The petition, filed by Ravi Ranjan Singh, challenges a notice dated March 4, 2024, which instructed residents to vacate the area by March 6. The petitioner seeks a stay on the demolition until alternative shelters are arranged for the approximately 800 affected individuals. The plea highlights the intent behind the CAA, emphasizing the Indian government’s commitment to providing refuge to persecuted non-Muslim minorities from neighboring countries.
