The Supreme Court stepped in decisively to shield Pakistani Hindu refugees from forced displacement, criticizing authorities for failing to provide basic dignity after granting citizenship. At the heart of the dispute is a camp housing over 250 families near Delhi’s Signature Bridge, where residents face demolition drives by the DDA over alleged illegal occupation of Yamuna floodplains.
These Scheduled Caste Hindus escaped brutal religious oppression in Pakistan, only to find precarious existence in India’s capital. While some hold citizenship documents, others are in limbo. A prior Delhi High Court order in May 2025 had paved the way for clearances, prompting their appeal to the apex court.
During hearings, Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh emphasized that constitutional rights under Article 21 extend beyond paperwork to include shelter and respectable living. The bench halted all relocation efforts temporarily and directed the government and DDA to explain their inaction on rehabilitation within a month.
Life in the camp is a daily struggle. Families survive on menial tasks amid constant fear. ‘We fled persecution to build a new life, but now we’re back to square one,’ shared one resident. Their journey reflects the paradoxes of refuge: welcomed in policy, neglected in practice.
This ruling reinforces judicial oversight on minority welfare, urging systemic reforms. With notices served, the coming weeks will reveal if the state prioritizes humanity over urban development agendas.
