Aziz’s tragic death underscores the human cost of the large-scale urban development projects in the state.
Team Clarion
LUCKNOW — In a tragic turn of events, Aziz, a dejected and demoralised Muslim tailor from the Akbar Nagar locality of Uttar Pradesh’s capital city, committed suicide on Tuesday. Aziz was facing severe hardships due to the demolition of his house and the confiscation of his sewing machine by authorities. He is survived by his widow and six-month-old daughter, who are now left to navigate life without him.
The demolition of Aziz’s house was part of a larger operation carried out by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA). On October 13 last year, under Section 27 (1) of the Uttar Pradesh Urban Planning and Development Act, 1973, the LDA issued an order for the demolition of structures in Akbar Nagar. The demolition drive began in December 2023, targeting homes deemed to be on illegally occupied land. This campaign has profoundly impacted the lives of approximately 15,000 residents, primarily from poor and middle-class backgrounds.
Aziz’s house was demolished during this drive, forcing him and his family to live in tents. To support his family, Aziz worked as a tailor. However, his struggles were compounded on July 20 when authorities seized his sewing machine. Aziz managed to retrieve his machine by paying a bribe of Rs 800, but the financial and emotional strain became too much to bear. A few days after this incident, Aziz ended his life.
The demolition operations in Lucknow are part of the Gomti River project initiated by the Yogi Adityanath government in 2016. The project aims to beautify the riverbank, and the National Green Tribunal has imposed restrictions on construction work along the riverbanks, even on private land, to prevent obstructions to the flow of rainwater which can lead to flooding.
The demolition drive has sparked significant concerns and criticism from the affected community. The residents of Akbar Nagar, many of whom are from vulnerable socioeconomic backgrounds, have been left homeless and without a means of livelihood. Aziz’s tragic death underscores the human cost of these large-scale urban development projects.
Aziz’s neighbours and local activists are calling for more compassionate and fair handling of the demolition process. “The authorities need to consider the plight of the poor who are losing their homes and livelihoods,” said a local resident. “Aziz’s death is a heart-wrenching reminder of the dire consequences of these actions.”