We are on road to hell: Chidambaram on Jahangirpuri demolition

The Supreme Court had to intervene twice to stop the drive after it took cognizance of a petition filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind against the demolition

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Thursday targeted the BJP over the bulldozer drive in Delhi's Jahangirpuri, saying "we are on the road to hell" even as party leaders were prevented by police from going to the area where the anti-encroachment drive took place.

Referring to Wednesday's anti-encroachment drive, Chidambaram tweeted, "we see the Rule of Law break down every day. Soon there will be no law and no rules."

"Once arbitrary 'Orders' override 'Law', we are on the road to hell. The Bulldozer represents the arbitrary 'Order'. The Supreme Court represents 'Law'. Yesterday, we saw the Bulldozer defy the Law. Let's see what happens today," he added.

The anti-encroachment drive was conducted in the area, which had witnessed violence on Saturday during a Hanuman Jayanti procession, following a letter from Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta to the NDMC seeking anti-encroachment drive as part of action against “rioters”. The Supreme Court had to intervene twice to stall the demolition drive till it decides on a petition.

Also Read | Supreme Court extends Jahangirpuri demolition status quo for 2 weeks, issues notice to NDMC, others

Separately, a Congress delegation led by General Secretary Ajay Maken and Delhi in-charge Shaktisinh Gohil went to Jahangirpuri but police prevented them from going to the locality where the anti-encroachment drive was conducted by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation on Wednesday.

Maken said the drive was conducted by violating rules and it was "an attack on the poor people and their means of livelihood".

"This demolition is illegal. I was the Urban Development minister too, and I know how laws work. They cannot do this without any prior notice. BJP leaders are lying," Maken alleged.

Gohil said the anti-encroachment drive was an attempt to divert attention from rising inflation in the country.

Delhi Congress president Anil Kumar asked why has Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal not visited the locality. "One sided action that is being taken. They are targeting Muslims. We are here to ensure they get justice," he claimed.

Around 25-30 Youth Congress workers also protested near Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri's residence against the anti-encroachment drive but were detained by police. They were detained from Akbar Road while they were trying to reach Puri's residence.

"The BJP is using bulldozers to crush peace and harmony in the country. "We will keep raising our voice over such incidents, including in Jahangirpuri, where houses and shops of poor people were demolished illegally," Youth Congress national media in-charge Rahul Rao said.

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