Slum demolition: Kejriwal calls Rahul a “kid”

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday called Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi a “kid” after a war of words broke out between the two leaders over the controversial evictions at Shakur Basti. While railways said the child died at around 10 AM, two hours before the demolition drive began to clear several “fresh encroachments”, police said prima facie the baby died after a heap of clothes fell on the six-month-old. But the child’s father insisted otherwise, while the autopsy report blamed head and chest injuries caused by falling objects for the death.

Since the demolition, the hutment dwellers are living in the open, at the site, under canvas tents.

Later in the day, Gandhi visited the spot, while Kejriwal met Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to discuss the issue. “They came back, and then the ambulance took her away after we complained to media”, said Gulab. We will fight for you and won’t let this gross injustice happen to you. He even talked to the slum people and promised that they will provide every kind of assistance to them. “Delhi government will first rehabilitate them as per its rehabilitation policy”.

“Now they are busy blaming each other. They need to ensure rehabilitation and provide them shelter”, Rahul said. According to Mr Kejriwal, Mr Gandhi was still a “kid”.

AAP sources said the matter will be raised in the Rajya Sabha by TMC and JD(U). Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced this following a meeting on Monday evening with railway minister Suresh Prabhu. “If the people you are going to remove are staying at the place concerned beyond a certain timeframe, you have to arrange for their rehabilitation first as per court orders”. The railways said the demolition was carried out after serving three notices.

Talking to reporters, he said, “A child has died here”.

The former Union minister also took to twitter to target Kejriwal.

A railway official said the hutments were built illegally on railway land and the shanty dwellers had been told to vacate the land to make space for a new railway line but they chose not to. The counsel for railway was unable to give a reply to the court’s query.

The slum residents in Shakur Basti raised an uproar after a child was found dead.

Last week, around 500 slums were razed by Railway authorities as part of their demolition drive. An infant died in controversial circumstances during the drive.