BJP Govt uses O-Zone as pretext to bulldoze poor people’s homes in Milan Vihar, Burari: Sanjeev Jha

NEW DELHI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday called out the BJP government for continuing demolition drives in Burari’s Milan Vihar under the guise of the O-Zone, despite repeated public assurances that residents would not be displaced. Sharing a video of the operation, which began in the morning amid heavy police deployment, senior AAP leader and Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha stated that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) was demolishing homes, including some covered by court stay orders. He said the demolitions were crushing people’s dreams and hopes and called on the BJP-led Centre to enact a law in Parliament removing the O-Zone designation and protecting residents from eviction.

Senior AAP leader and MLA Sanjeev Jha said that even today, with police deployed throughout Milan Vihar, demolitions were taking place in Burari Assembly constituency in the name of the O-Zone. “The BJP government says one thing and does another. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, ministers and MPs are all saying that there will be no demolition in the O-Zone, but the DDA is carrying out large-scale demolitions every day in its name,” he stated.

Sanjeev Jha further highlighted that these demolitions were taking place on land that is already under a court stay order. “This BJP government respects neither the courts nor democracy. Make a law in Parliament, remove the O-Zone, and save the homes of the poor,” he added.

It is noteworthy that AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha has been consistently opposing demolitions taking place in residential colonies located in the O-Zone area. He has stated that the BJP government is deliberately conspiring to displace residents living in the O-Zone. “Delhi’s MPs, Chief Minister and ministers are misleading people through false promises and assurances,” he said.

“Their intentions are one thing, while their statements are another. Three days ago, BJP MPs Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Manoj Tiwari held a public meeting in Jagatpur village in Burari and assured residents that not a single brick would be touched,” he said. However, he noted, demolition took place in the same village the very next day.

He further stated, “Two days ago, Rekha Gupta visited Karawal Nagar, where all the ministers, MPs and MLAs present repeatedly stated that not a single brick would be moved, yet demolition was carried out there on Tuesday itself. If BJP leaders are repeatedly giving assurances, why are homes still being demolished?”

Sanjeev Jha further asserted that it is difficult to understand why BJP MPs, ministers and the Chief Minister themselves are pleading with the DDA not to act unjustly. “They had promised that a double-engine government would reduce people’s hardships. Instead, people continue to suffer,” he said.

He continued, “This clearly shows that they have no intention of saving people’s homes. When the court repeatedly asked whether special protection was being provided to O-Zone residents, they remained silent. Instead, they said they were preparing a rehabilitation plan. The very fact that they are preparing a rehabilitation plan means they intend to uproot people.” The BJP, he added, is misleading residents through falsehoods so that houses can be demolished one by one.

The AAP MLA said that the Aam Aadmi Party will now launch a signature campaign in every colony across Delhi demanding: “Remove the O-Zone, bring a law in Parliament, and save the homes of the poor.” He added, “We will not allow the BJP to mislead the public. Under their regularisation policy, only 40 percent of unauthorised colonies are being regularised.”

Sanjeev Jha also criticised the BJP’s regularisation policy, claiming that it covers only 40% of unauthorised colonies and excludes settlements expanded after 2014. He argued that the issue extends beyond O-Zone colonies, warning that other neighbourhoods could face a similar fate if residents do not mobilise.

Announcing a citywide signature campaign, Sanjeev Jha said the AAP would reach out to every colony in Delhi to demand legal protection for residents. “People living in 91 colonies across Delhi are in fear and shock. They do not want false assurances. They want Parliament to pass a law that protects their homes,” he strongly concluded.