Living in the constant intimidation of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) of getting deprived of my own house, I’m Saroj Kumar, a resident of JJ Colony Dwarka, New Delhi.

My family has been part of Delhi for more than 35 years. In 1994, we were allotted a plot in JJ Colony Sector 7, Dwarka. I along with my siblings was brought up under this one roof. However, last year, due to some unavoidable circumstances in the life, we were compelled to sell out the house. Thereafter, we struggled a lot. Getting a house on rent for a joint family (2 brothers and 2 sisters, all married having kids, along with my parents) like ours is a big challenge. Fortunately, we managed to purchase another house in the same locality this year in March. For which, I owe a personal loan to a bank as well.

No sooner had we settled than Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) started serving notices to home buyers (who are not the primary allottees) in the area asking them to vacate the houses alleging their possession as illegal. I’m also one of the potential victims (haven’t got any formal notification so far). However, I’m seeking support so that people like me, who make their livelihood through hard work and dedication don’t get homeless.

According to the DUSIB, the sale/purchase of plots in JJ colony is illegal. But the ground reality has a different tale to tell, which is not hidden from us and even from the government. Almost 90% of the primary plot holders don’t remain in the picture after 5 to 10 years. Selling and reselling continues through Powers of Attorney. New occupants get electric, water, phone and other utilities or services in their name and pay to the government departments for consuming those. Residents also get identity and address proof against their plot or house and exercise their rights. Political parties also surface, if not always then at least at the time of election, canvassing votes, making tall promises. This is the story of not just one JJ colony but of all spreading across the length and breadth of Delhi.

Banning the sale and purchase of plots in such areas might sound a good stand to protect vulnerable people, but life is very unpredictable. And it’s true that a government can’t come to their rescue every time. People have to fight their problems on their own. Hence, there must be some aberration to the law; after all, law is made for people of the land, not the vice versa. People like us, don’t sell their houses intentionally. Such decisions are taken out of compulsion, not to live a luxury life but to satisfy some emergency situation concerning dignity and life. We sold our house after 21 years, a considerable amount of time. Purchasing the second house was also a challenging task, which we couldn’t have afforded, provided haven’t got aid from relatives and bank.  

Don't see this story in isolation. In fact, this story is of hundreds and millions of people living in the JJ colonies all over Delhi. People had some expectation with the AAP’s manifesto as there was a promise to give legal ownership to occupants, getting their property registered in the court, but nothing to that effect has been done. Instead, people are intimidated by the authorities and the government that they chose to make a difference.

So, through this petition, I urge you to voice your support signing it and sharing the same with your friends and family so that we don’t get unheard, so that we can get our entitlement, living a dignified and fearless life in our home earned diligently.

Honestly Yours

Saroj Kumar & The Residents of JJ Colony Sector 7, Dwarka, New Delhi