Report on Demolition Drives and Their Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in India

Introduction

Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, 2024, which resulted in 26 deaths, authorities initiated extensive demolition drives targeting Muslim-majority slum areas across various Indian states. This report examines these demolition activities, their disproportionate impact on marginalized Muslim communities, and the implications for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Overview of Demolition Drives

Chandola Lake Slum Demolition in Ahmedabad

1. On April 29, 2024, Ahmedabad municipality launched its largest-ever slum demolition drive in the Bangali Vaas slum near Chandola Lake, a Muslim-dominated area.
2. Authorities cited decades of encroachment leading to the shrinkage of Chandola Lake as justification.
3. In June 2024, phase two razed 8,500 structures in a single day, displacing tens of thousands.
4. Simultaneously, a statewide crackdown detained nearly 6,500 people, mostly Muslims, with 450 identified as illegal immigrants.

Demolition Drives Across Other Cities and States

• Delhi and Madhya Pradesh (2022): Bulldozers were used to demolish homes of those accused in communal violence, disproportionately affecting poor Muslims, e.g., Delhi’s Jahangirpuri.
• Haryana’s Nuh District (2023): Approximately 750 structures belonging to alleged rioters were razed; the majority belonged to Muslims in a district with a 79% Muslim population.
• Uttar Pradesh (UP) (2022-2024): Demolition of Muslim homes, including that of a political activist and 1,800 homes in Akbar Nagar, citing security and urban development reasons.
• Mathura (2023): 135 Muslim homes demolished as ‘encroachments’ while nearby Hindu homes remained intact.
• Delhi’s Bhumiheen Camp (June 2024): 350 tenements demolished during a heatwave, leaving hundreds homeless.

Disproportionate Impact on Muslim Communities and Vulnerable Populations

• Muslim-majority localities are frequently targeted for demolition, often without due process.
• Properties of those accused of crimes are demolished as punitive action, bypassing legal procedures.
• Demolitions have resulted in mass evictions, loss of livelihoods, and increased homelessness.
• Communities face disruption in access to healthcare, education, and basic services.

Legal and Human Rights Concerns

Violation of Due Process and Constitutional Rights

• Demolitions often occur without formal notice or reasonable time for residents to respond or relocate.
• Destruction of personal belongings, including legal documents and household goods, has been reported.
• The Supreme Court of India, in November 2024, issued guidelines emphasizing due process in demolition actions, condemning ‘bulldozer justice’ as a violation of natural justice principles.
• Forced evictions violate Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and livelihood.

Examples of Collective Punishment

• Statements by officials advocating demolition of entire neighborhoods as punishment for crimes committed by individuals.
• Demolitions used as tools of intimidation and assertion of majoritarian dominance rather than urban planning.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Demolition drives exacerbate poverty by rendering thousands homeless and depriving them of livelihoods.
• Loss of informal housing and businesses undermines economic stability for vulnerable populations.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Displacement disrupts access to healthcare services, increasing health risks among affected communities.
• Demolitions during extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, further endanger vulnerable groups.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Forced evictions interrupt children’s education due to displacement and loss of community support structures.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Targeting of Muslim-majority and marginalized communities reflects systemic inequalities and discrimination.
• Demolitions deepen social exclusion and hinder social cohesion.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Demolition drives fail to provide sustainable housing solutions or inclusive urban development.
• Displacement undermines the resilience and sustainability of urban poor communities.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• Bypassing due process and engaging in collective punishment violate principles of justice and human rights.
• Demolitions contribute to social unrest and communal tensions, threatening peace and security.

Conclusion

The demolition drives across India, particularly targeting Muslim-majority informal settlements, raise serious concerns regarding human rights, social justice, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. These actions disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, undermining poverty alleviation, health, education, equality, sustainable urban development, and justice. There is an urgent need for policies that uphold constitutional rights, ensure due process, and promote inclusive and sustainable development in line with the SDGs.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses forced evictions and demolitions of slums, which directly impact the livelihoods and poverty status of marginalized communities.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Displacement disrupts access to healthcare and basic services, affecting the well-being of affected populations.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality – While not explicitly mentioned, the impact on women and vulnerable groups in slum communities can be inferred.
4. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The demolition around Chandola Lake and encroachment issues relate to water bodies and sanitation concerns.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The targeting of Muslim poor communities and ethnic minorities highlights issues of inequality and discrimination.
6. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The article focuses on urban informal settlements, demolitions, and the right to adequate housing.
7. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – Issues of due process, legal rights, and justice in demolition drives are central themes.
8. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – References to civil society groups, courts, and international organizations like Amnesty International imply the role of partnerships.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

• SDG 1
  • Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services and ownership of property.
  • Target 1.5: Build resilience of the poor and vulnerable to climate-related extreme events and other shocks.
• SDG 3
  • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage and access to quality essential health-care services.
• SDG 6
  • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water.
  • Target 6.2: Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene.
• SDG 10
  • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of ethnicity or religion.
• SDG 11
  • Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.
  • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory planning.
• SDG 16
  • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice for all.
  • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

• Number of informal homes demolished and people evicted – The article cites figures such as 153,820 informal homes demolished and 738,438 people evicted in 2022-2023, which can be used to track forced evictions (related to SDG 11.1).
• Proportion of population with access to adequate housing and basic services – Implied by the discussion on loss of livelihoods, disrupted access to healthcare, education, and sanitation.
• Legal due process indicators – Presence or absence of formal notice, reasonable time to vacate, and adherence to judicial guidelines (related to SDG 16.3).
• Incidence of discriminatory practices in urban planning and demolitions – Targeting of Muslim communities and minorities implies measuring inequality and discrimination (SDG 10.2).
• Number of people rendered homeless or deprived of livelihoods due to demolition drives – Amnesty International’s report of at least 617 people affected between April and June 2022.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: trt.global