"Campaign underway to make people homeless throughout Delhi": AAP MLA Gopal Rai condemns Delhi Demolition Drive

New Delhi [India], January 7 : AAP MLA Gopal Rai, condemning the Delhi Demolition Drive at various sites, demanded on Wednesday that the government must focus more on "rehabilitation" than on "demolition of people's homes". He alleged that a campaign is underway by the BJP government to "make people homeless throughout Delhi".
The MLA based these allegations on the claim that since the BJP came to power, the party is allegedly involved in "carrying out the demolition of encroachments and people's homes across Delhi". Speaking to ANI, he said, "Since the BJP government came to power, it's not about one place. Still, this government is carrying out the demolition of encroachments and people's homes across Delhi. This is not just about one incident... A campaign is underway to make people homeless throughout Delhi. Such incidents are happening in many places. I think the government should work on rehabilitating people rather than demolishing their homes."
While the opposition attacked the BJP for its demolition drive in Delhi on Wednesday, the ruling party claimed to be merely adhering to court directives against illegal encroachments.
The BJP Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal claimed that the court has made it clear that "government land and transportation routes cannot be blocked". Thus, the government took action to clear all illegal encroachments. He also emphasised that the people had no right to encroach on public land.

Speaking to ANI, he said, "... The government and the court have made it clear that government land and transportation routes cannot be blocked. Following the court's order, the government cleared all illegal encroachments, including mosques and temples. People have no right to encroach on public land..."
Supporting the claim, the BJP MLA Kailash Gahlot said that if there is a court order against illegal encroachments, then it is the duty of "every public authority to remove any obstacles that may arise in the execution of the court order and to ensure compliance with the court's directives".

Speaking to ANI, he said, "There is a court order regarding this matter, and it is the duty of every public authority to remove any obstacles that may arise in the execution of the court order and to ensure compliance with the court's directives."
On Wednesday, the MCD conducted a demolition drive in the encroached area near Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, Turkman Gate, and Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, following the High Court's order, in the early hours of January 7, 2026, according to a Delhi Police official statement.
Delhi Police have detained five people in connection with the stone-pelting incident during the demolition drive.
According to the police, around 25-30 people pelted stones at police and MCD officials after they arrived at the Turkman Gate with JCBs to demolish illegal encroachment on the court's order.
Five police personnel suffered minor injuries in the incident. They have been treated at the nearby hospital, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of the Central District, Nidhin Valsan, said.
Before the demolition drive, several coordination meetings were held with members of the Aman Committee and other local stakeholders to maintain peace and prevent any untoward incidents. All possible preventive and confidence-building measures were undertaken, according to Central Range Joint Commissioner of Police, Madhur Verma.
However, officials said a "few miscreants" attempted to create a disturbance by pelting stones, and the situation was promptly brought under control through "measured and minimal use of force."