Locals are passing sleepless nights after the DDA’s demolition notice targeting Khasra number 279 and the surrounding buildings
NEW DELHI – The Batla House area of South Delhi is once again under the spotlight, not for any crime, but for a looming demolition. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has served a notice for demolition at Khasra number 279, Muradi Road, and the police have already begun ground activity ahead of any action.
On Wednesday morning, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Jamia Nagar police station, along with his full force, reached Muradi Road. With drones hovering over rooftops and narrow lanes, the police conducted a detailed inspection of the area.
“The police came early morning. They walked through every lane and flew drones over our roofs. People here are scared. We don’t know what will happen next,” said Imran Qureshi, a resident of Muradi Road for the last 15 years.
Locals woke up to an unusual scene. Large numbers of barricades were brought in and placed at different entry points of Muradi Road. Although no demolition happened, the sudden arrival of police and barricades triggered concern.
“They didn’t say anything, just placed barricades silently. This reminds me of earlier times when the poor were targeted in the name of encroachments. Are only Muslims living in unauthorised buildings in Delhi?” asked Salma Parveen, a housewife who lives near Khasra number 279.
The DDA’s notice, pasted on May 26, warned of demolition due to alleged illegal construction. However, locals say they were not given a proper hearing or an opportunity to present their side. “We are not criminals. We have paid property taxes, electricity bills, and water charges. If this was illegal, why did the government accept our payments for years?” asked Mohammad Aamir, another resident whose house stands near the marked site.
Despite increased surveillance, the administration has not officially confirmed when the demolition will take place. This uncertainty is deepening the anxiety among residents.
“We don’t sleep properly. Our children are scared. My daughter asked me yesterday, ‘Papa, will our house be broken tomorrow?’ What should I tell her?” said Shakeel Ahmed, a tailor who runs a shop in the area.
The SHO, while speaking briefly to local media, said, “The area has been surveyed as part of regular police beat. We will maintain law and order during any civic body operation.”
However, for the people of Batla House, the timing and intensity of police presence tell another story.
Batla House has long been associated with Delhi’s Muslim community. It has faced several incidents in the past, including the controversial 2008 police encounter. For many, the memories are still fresh, and this demolition notice has reopened old wounds.
“It seems whenever the authorities want to show action, they pick a Muslim area. We have seen how the bulldozers are selectively sent to Muslim homes – from Delhi to Uttar Pradesh. This is not just a local issue; this is about the dignity of the country’s Muslims,” said Faheem Akhtar, a law student from Jamia Millia Islamia.
Many locals and civil society members are questioning why such demolitions happen mostly in Muslim areas, while illegal constructions in other parts of Delhi are left untouched.
“Go to any area in Delhi – whether it’s in North Delhi, South Extension, or even Lutyens Zone – you will find violations. But when it comes to demolition, only Muslim areas are chosen. This shows the bias in the system,” said Nadeem Khan, a human rights activist.
After the news spread, a few lawyers and social activists reached Muradi Road to provide support. Legal teams have started looking into the documents of affected homes, hoping to get a stay order.
“We have found several flaws in the DDA’s notice. There is no proper hearing, no rehabilitation plan, and no clarity on who verified the illegality of these buildings. We will move the high court if needed,” said Advocate Rehana Siddiqui.
Since the rise of what many call “bulldozer politics,” several Muslim neighbourhoods across the country, especially in states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have seen demolition drives. In some cases, these were carried out after communal tensions or protests. While the authorities claim to be acting against illegal buildings, the timing and target areas have raised suspicions.
“This is not about construction. This is about showing power and teaching Muslims a lesson. If illegal buildings are the issue, then why not act in posh areas? Why only here?” questioned Abdul Mannan, a retired school teacher.
Many believe this is part of a wider pattern aimed at suppressing Muslim voices and pushing them to live in fear.
Despite the fear, the residents of Muradi Road are appealing for calm. No protests have erupted yet, but the tension in the air is heavy. Many have locked their homes and are preparing for the worst.
“We don’t want trouble. We just want justice. Let the authorities come and talk to us. If there is anything wrong, we are ready to discuss. But don’t treat us like we don’t belong here,” said Nazia Khatoon, a teacher who has lived in the area for more than two decades.
According to reports, the DDA and other agencies are preparing similar actions in parts of Noida and Greater Noida. Notices have been pasted at several locations, especially in areas where Muslims live in large numbers.
A leaked plan suggests that the aim is to clear “unauthorised constructions” under urban development schemes. But critics say this is a cover for targeted harassment.
“We are not against city planning. But when planning becomes a tool of oppression, then the people will resist,” said Haroon Ali, a community organiser.
As Delhi’s Batla House waits in silence, the bulldozer politics seem to be gaining ground. While the authorities defend their actions in the name of law and order, the residents see it as another example of selective targeting.
The fear is real, the uncertainty is growing, and the faith in justice is fading.
“This is not just about bricks and buildings. This is about our honour, our families, and our future. Stop treating Indian Muslims as second-class citizens,” said 70-year-old Noor Jahan, as she looked towards the sky where drones still hover.
